Higher ed trends
A growing share of U.S. families are rethinking whether a traditional four-year college degree remains the best option after high school, as concerns about cost, debt, and job outcomes drive renewed interest in trade and technical education. According to a recent national survey from American Student Assistance, 35% of
diversity & inclusion
San Marcos, TX – Texas State University is facing criticism from civil rights organizations after initially canceling a planned visit by the Black History 101 Mobile Museum and later indicating that the decision may be reconsidered. The museum, a traveling exhibition featuring historical artifacts and educational displays documenting African American history,
University acquisitions
The Maestro educational group has expanded its presence in higher education with the integration of Bottega University, which now operates as Maestro University. A notice on Bottega University’s website states that “Bottega University is transitioning to Maestro University”, indicating that the institution has been moved under the Maestro name
College athletics
The Big 12 Conference is nearing a $500 million private capital partnership that would mark one of the most significant financial restructurings in the history of U.S. college athletics. According to reporting by the Financial Times, the conference is in advanced talks with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital
Providence, RI – A shooting at Brown University during the final exam period left two students dead and nine others injured, according to BBC News. While the incident itself shocked the Ivy League campus and the broader higher education community, it has also prompted renewed scrutiny of how colleges prepare for,
higher ed funding
Merced, CA – The University of California, Merced has received a landmark $38 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, marking the largest single philanthropic gift in the university’s history. Scott, an acclaimed author and philanthropist, is widely known for her major philanthropic initiatives through Yield Giving as well as for
civil rights
Cambridge, MA - A new federal civil rights complaint has been filed against Harvard University, alleging that the institution unlawfully supported a race-restricted scholarship program in violation of federal nondiscrimination laws. The filing adds new pressure to universities as legal challenges increasingly target diversity-focused programs beyond admissions. What the Complaint
International students
New data released this week shows a sharp decline in the number of international students starting at U.S. colleges this fall. According to the Fall 2025 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment from the Institute of International Education, new international enrollment fell by 17 percent compared with last year. The
Texas higher education
Houston, TX - More than 100 Texas colleges and universities have lost approximately $64 million in federal funding after recent cuts to Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) grants, according to new reporting. The loss affects a wide range of public and private institutions that rely on the federal program to support student
A new round of financial analyses released this month points to rising instability among non-profit colleges, with experts warning that more institutions may face consolidation, mergers, or closure in 2026. Recent reporting indicates that demographic shifts, enrollment declines, and financial pressures are converging to create increasingly difficult operating conditions for
San Antonio, TX – In response to a dramatic drop in enrollment over the past decade, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) has announced a major academic restructuring, eliminating multiple programs and pivoting toward new career-focused degree offerings. The changes come as the university seeks to stabilize financially and align
As 2025 draws to a close, recent moves by U.S. universities show a higher education sector under pressure but also rapidly evolving. In just the past week, institutions have announced large-scale expansions, responded to heightened federal scrutiny, restructured identity-based programs, and advanced new initiatives focused on artificial intelligence (AI)
College Station, TX - On December 1, 2025, Texas A&M University unveiled a $25 million initiative to hire approximately 167 new tenure and tenure-track faculty members across its campuses over the next two years. The program, called "Foundation for Good (FFG)", is designed to expand class
Tuscaloosa, AL - On December 3, 2025, the University of Alabama announced the suspension of two student-run magazines, Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice, citing compliance with recent federal guidance regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at federally funded institutions. What Happened * The magazines - Nineteen Fifty-Six, which centered on Black
Evanston, IL - On November 28, 2025, Northwestern University reached an agreement with the U.S. federal government, under which the university will pay US$ 75 million over three years in exchange for restoring frozen research funding - nearly US$ 790 million - and ending ongoing federal investigations into allegations
