Economics of Higher Education: Concepts, Categories, and Classification

The last decade has seen a transformation of the national education system aimed at increasing the efficiency of management and financing, while adjusting university curricula to the social, economic, and labor market agendas. The conceptual framework of the education system has evolved alongside the shifting socio-economic and technological conditions. This research analyzes the categories and classifications of current concepts within the national educational landscape. Using a standard suite of research methods, including literature review, graphical modeling, and comparative analysis of the federal budget, the study employs a dialectical approach to substantiate the authors’ definitions of the education system, its classification, and foundational concepts such as system, economic system, and management system. An integrated model of education-related categories outlines the key functions and processes driving the system’s sustainability as it adapts to new socio-economic realities, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of the sector as a whole. Crucially, the findings contribute to strategizing the long-term development and modernization of the national education system.