Competitive Advantage On Higher Education Study Program In Maluku – Indonesia (Case Study) Irma Setyawati Faculty of Economics and Busines, Management Study Program Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia irmasetyawati@civitas.unas.ac.id Dian Utami Sutiksno Department of Commercial Administration, Politeknik Negeri Ambon, Ambon, Indonesia dsutiksno@gmail.com Novalien. C. Lewaherilla Faculty of Economic and Business, Department of Management Universitas Pattimura Ambon, Indonesia Novalewaherilla21@gmail.com Naddynda PN Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, English Education Study Programme Universitas Pattimura Ambon, Indonesia dyndapnm@gmail.com Victor Pattiasina Universitas Yapis Papua, Indonesia victor_pattiasina@uniyap.ac.id Abstract The quality of higher education in Maluku still not reckoned, both on the national or international level. Therefore, this study aims to determine the competitive advantage through the service mix. The characteristics of this research are descriptive and verification, with the Structural Equation Modelling analysis technique being used. Data collection through a questionnaire distributed to 242 study programs in Maluku, with an observation unit from the Chair of the Study Program. The results of the study found the competitive advantage of universities in Maluku could be improved through a service mix. The education industry has core product services, thus the implementation of the service mix will represent the key strategy. However, its implementation in the education industry is nevertheless rarely used, although it expresses a distinct relationship with the achievement of competitive advantage. Keywords Competitive Advantage, Higher Education, Case Study, Maluku Province, Indonesia Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial & Mechanical Engineering and Operations Management Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 26-27, 2021 © IEOM Society International 520