Designing Business Models for Education Abroad Programs

As colleges and universities strive to expand access to education abroad, faculty are increasingly called upon to design and lead global programs that are not only pedagogically enriching but also financially and operationally sustainable. While institutional interest and student demand have grown, the long-term viability of these programs remains uncertain, as most receive limited startup funding and lack clearly defined business models to support their continued operation. This article offers practical guidance for faculty seeking to develop steady-state business models for academic programs that include a travel component abroad. It introduces a structured framework grounded in three critical drivers—curricular design, operational logistics, and financial sustainability—and culminates in a typology of business models currently employed in successful faculty-led global programs. By bridging the gap between visionary programming and institutional pragmatism, this article equips educators with the tools needed to scale transformative global learning experiences.