The U.S. education system — and practically everywhere else — is both an “industry” and a “culture,” depending on the lens through which you view it – i.e not an either/or question. Since the our raison d etre is to intervene in technical standards setting to make educational settlements safer, simpler, lower-cost and longer-lasting we default to use of “industry” to reflect dollar cost considerations.
As an Industry. Education in the U.S. operates as a massive economic sector. It involves a complex network of institutions—public schools, private schools, colleges, universities, and for-profit educational companies—employing millions of people (teachers, administrators, support staff) and generating significant revenue. In 2023, for example, the U.S. spent over $800 billion on K-12 education alone, according to federal budget data, and higher education adds hundreds of billions more through tuition, grants, and research funding. There’s also a thriving market for textbooks, edtech (like learning platforms and software), and standardized testing, with companies like McGraw-Hill, Chegg Group and Pearson playing major roles. From this perspective, education has all the hallmarks of an industry: it produces goods and services, employs labor, and drives economic activity.
As a Culture. Identically, educational settlements shapes and reflect values, norms, and identity, making it a cultural force. It’s a system where ideas about meritocracy, individualism, and social mobility are taught and reinforced. The “college experience,” for instance, is a cultural rite of passage for many, complete with traditions like football games and Greek life. Schools also serve as battlegrounds for cultural debates—think of curriculum fights over history, science, or literature—which mirror broader societal tensions. Education isn’t just a service; it’s a shared framework that influences how Americans think, socialize, and define success.
So we rest upon the use of the term industry in most of our publications. The industry side (funding, infrastructure, jobs) enables the cultural side (values, socialization, identity) to function, and vice versa. For example, the push for STEM education is driven by industry needs (workforce development) but also reflects a cultural belief in progress through science and innovation. Similarly, the student loan system is an economic mechanism, but it’s deeply tied to the cultural narrative of education as a personal investment.
