Educational support services companies are less visible in the industry than educational institutions, but provide key benefits to schools, students, and many others. Companies in this sector perform many different functions – educational testing is a substantial market on its own, but educational support services also include things like consulting, guidance, evaluation, student exchange and study abroad programs, and more.
The American educational support services industry has seen average growth over the past 5 years, according to research by IBISWorld. With a growth rate of 2.2% since 2015, the industry is now worth around $17 billion, with over 10,000 businesses and 100,000 people employed. An increasing number of students are taking college entrance exams, boosting demand for test preparation services and college admissions consulting.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced challenges for students, educational institutions, and support services companies, it also brings increased demand for services such as online learning and homeschooling resources. As students and educators figure out how to adapt to these challenges, educational support services will be essential to continue operating as closely to normal as possible.