Core Insights - The international education consulting volume in first-tier cities is expected to decline for the first time year-on-year by 2025, while second-tier cities like Chengdu, Hefei, and Tianjin are experiencing a surge in referral rates [1][3] - High-knowledge families are no longer solely attracted to the prestige of first-tier cities, as second-tier cities are leveraging precise positioning and innovative models to capture market opportunities [3][4] Industry Trends - The national international school market has reached a scale of 150 billion yuan, with a student population of 2.8 million. The penetration rate in second-tier and new first-tier cities is growing at an annual rate of 15%, significantly outpacing the 5% growth in first-tier cities [4] - New first-tier cities are providing 37.7% of "returnee priority positions," nearly matching first-tier cities, indicating that second-tier cities can not only attract students but also support graduate employment, creating a "cultivation-employment" closed loop [4] Key Cities Analysis - **Hefei**: Transitioning from an "education gap" to a "high ground for elite education," Hefei has developed a replicable model for high-cost performance academic international departments, supported by local research resources [6][11] - **Chengdu**: As the leader in Southwest international education, Chengdu has established a complete tier of international schools, with tuition ranging from 80,000 to 280,000 yuan per year, and is expected to see a 40% increase in international school scale by 2025 [12][13] - **Tianjin**: By implementing a "dual-track" educational product design, Tianjin has successfully addressed parental decision-making anxiety, providing a model for other second-tier cities to follow [19][24] - **Nantong**: Recognized as a potential city for international schools, Nantong has positioned itself as a commuter-friendly education hub for Shanghai, offering significantly lower tuition costs while maintaining quality through resource sharing [27][28] Market Dynamics - The trend of "downward mobility" in education is becoming a certainty, with second-tier cities proving that they can offer high-quality education without the high costs associated with first-tier cities [30][32] - The rise of second-tier cities is driven by industrial upgrades attracting talent, continuous policy support for diversified schooling, and significant cost advantages in operational expenses compared to first-tier cities [31][32] Conclusion - The future of international education is shifting focus from first-tier cities to second-tier cities, where the emphasis is on genuine educational quality rather than mere prestige [34][35]