The hidden cost of the textbook tax

Textbook costs and the hidden institutional levers to improve college affordability.

March 2, 2026

Week in Review: The University of California braces for another federal fight

We’re rounding up recent news, from the latest effort to defang the U.S. Department of Education to one leader’s insight into experiential education.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Mental Health and Wellness

This Trendline examines how colleges can address rising mental health concerns and support at-risk groups, such as transgender students and college athletes. 

By Higher Ed Dive staff

‘We will hold institutions accountable,’ top US education official vows

At the American Council on Education’s annual conference, Under Secretary Nicholas Kent promised changes to accreditation and other policies.

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 27, 2026

UNC board approves contested academic freedom definition

Amid faculty protests, the public North Carolina system's governing board unanimously passed the policy change during its Thursday meeting.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 26, 2026

Trump touts ‘we ended DEI’ in State of the Union

The president’s declaration follows a yearlong attack on DEI during which some employers rolled back their initiatives, while others stayed the course.

By Kate Tornone • Feb. 25, 2026

The comeback starts here: How university leaders are reclaiming the future of higher ed

As pressures mount against higher education institutions and the industry as a whole, colleges and universities are stepping up to lead higher education’s comeback.

By Richard Garrett, Eduventures Chief Research Officer at Encoura • Feb. 23, 2026

Week in review: Trump scores legal victory on anti-DEI orders

We’re rounding up recent news, from the U.S. Department of Justice suing Harvard University to the latest figures on college endowment returns. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 16, 2026

Week in review: Duke lacks justification for cuts, audit says

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from Princeton University tightening its belt to Oklahoma moving to eliminate tenure at most public colleges. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 9, 2026

‘Shifting, false, and nonsensical’: Former Texas A&M professor sues over firing after viral video

Melissa McCoul alleged the university violated her First Amendment rights by succumbing to political pressure to terminate her over her course content.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 5, 2026

Trump signs $79B education funding bill into law

The fiscal 2026 budget measure will fund the agency through Sept. 30, giving it about $217 million above the prior year’s funding level.

By Kara Arundel • Feb. 3, 2026

Week in review: Navigating ‘relentless’ college leadership roles

We’re rounding up recent stories, from two states targeting H-1B hiring at public colleges to a plan to rewrite accreditation regulations.

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 2, 2026

Virginia AG searches for university general counsels to counter ‘federal overreach’

Attorney General Jay Jones is looking for in-house lawyers for three colleges to “fight back” against the Trump administration’s “politically-motivated assaults.”

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 27, 2026

How college leaders decide when to speak out

College presidents at the American Association of Colleges and Universities’ annual conference advised others to look to their mission as their North Star.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 27, 2026

Week in review: A look back at higher ed under Trump 2.0’s first year

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from pushback against President Donald Trump’s government in court to the latest congressional budget moves.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 26, 2026

Trump 2.0’s impact on higher ed: The first year in 8 numbers

A chaotic 2025 brought dozens of federal college probes, thousands of revoked international student visas, and billions in threatened research funding.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 20, 2026

What the 2026 salary report reveals about retention risk in higher ed marketing

New salary data highlights growing retention risks for higher ed marketing teams.

Jan. 12, 2026

Week in review: A controversial chancellor’s $1.1M payout

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from the fight over in-state tuition for undocumented Virginia students to the Trump administration’s legal battles.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 12, 2026

3 major policy changes college leaders should keep tabs on

During the Council of Independent Colleges’ annual conference, higher education experts discussed new laws and regulations coming down the pike.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 9, 2026

6 higher education trends to watch in 2026

With a new year comes new enrollment challenges, shifting federal policies and increased pressure on college leaders to stand up for their institutions.

By Laura Spitalniak , Natalie Schwartz , Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 8, 2026

10 stories from 2025 we wish we had written

We’re rounding up some of the phenomenal education reporting we saw last year — from sources other than Higher Ed Dive.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 6, 2026

How campus fleets can optimize every dollar

Real-time visibility is the key to smarter, more cost-effective campus fleets.

Jan. 5, 2026

Cancellation of mental health grants ruled unlawful

A federal judge required the Education Department to reinstate the grants in 16 states and barred the agency from issuing new priorities for the programs. 

By Kara Arundel • Dec. 23, 2025

Week in review: Trump expands travel ban

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from Coursera’s plans to acquire Udemy to more cuts at two Catholic colleges.

By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 22, 2025

State AGs launch third lawsuit seeking to stop Trump’s H-1B fee

The plaintiffs allege that public colleges, schools and healthcare systems all could be harmed by a $100,000 fee on new visas.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 17, 2025

Week in Review: Public college systems eye — and make — academic cuts

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from two Oregon universities seeking a merger to another year of high inflation for higher ed.

By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 15, 2025