Fitch: Private nonprofits see lowest operating margins in a decade

The credit rating agency expects the environment for the higher education sector to deteriorate in 2025, thanks to federal policy shifts and other challenges. 

By Natalie Schwartz • July 17, 2025

Confidence in higher education increases for the first time in a decade

Among adults surveyed by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, 42% expressed high confidence in the sector, up from 36% in the last two years.

By Laura Spitalniak • July 16, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Enrollment and Retention

A look at the pandemic's continuing impact on enrollment and how colleges can ensure students stay on course.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Week in review: GOP budget law will bring ‘significant negative consequences,’ higher ed warns

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the predicted fallout from the new spending package to the top takeaways from spring enrollment data.

By Laura Spitalniak • July 14, 2025

Offering student loan payment assistance a ‘no brainer,’ benefits manager says

“It’s a huge, huge benefit” to reduce the burden of student loan debt for employees, one Walt Disney executive told a gathering of HR pros.

By Ginger Christ • July 10, 2025

Trump’s OCR steps up pace for dismissing complaints

With newly limited staffing, the federal office charged with protecting students’ civil rights has increased its case dismissals — to the alarm of former employees.

By Naaz Modan • July 7, 2025

Yale pauses 10 construction projects as funding worries grow

Several universities are reassessing their capital plans due to rising costs and uncertain federal support.

By Sebastian Obando • July 7, 2025

Week in review: National Science Foundation’s cap on overhead research funding struck down

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from the Trump administration’s latest court setback to public university systems forming a new accreditor.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 30, 2025

Federal judge orders OCR to reinstate laid-off employees — for now

The reduction in force left the office "incapable of addressing the vast majority" of complaints, the ruling said.

By Naaz Modan • June 26, 2025

Majority of high schoolers say they don’t feel prepared for post-graduation

In a survey, about half of students said they’ve never had a job or internship, and more than a third said they’ve never gone for a college visit.

By Carolyn Crist • June 23, 2025

Week in review: Major universities take steps to rein in budgets

We’re rounding up recent stories, from Temple University’s plan to address a $60 million deficit to the Senate’s proposal for a lower endowment tax increase.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 23, 2025

Do states have ‘statutory right’ to Education Department data and guidance?

The agency is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow its reduction in force — even as its laid-off employees remain on administrative leave.

By Naaz Modan • June 20, 2025

Tracking the Trump administration’s moves to cap indirect research funding

We’re keeping tabs of the agencies that have tried to limit reimbursement for overhead costs to 15% — and the legal challenges against them.

Updated Aug. 18, 2025

Federal judge strikes down NIH directives against DEI research

The American Civil Liberties Union called the ruling "a major victory for public health.” Federal officials are exploring their legal options, including an appeal.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 17, 2025

Week in review: Major federal policy changes loom over colleges

We’re rounding up recent stories, from a Senate panel’s plan to overhaul higher education to well-known universities facing large budget cuts.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 16, 2025

Harvard spars with Trump administration over order protecting its international enrollment

The Ivy League institution argued that the federal government may seek to circumvent a pending preliminary injunction through “creative relabeling.”

By Laura Spitalniak • June 13, 2025

1 in 3 Americans recommend trade school for high school graduates

A smaller share of surveyed adults would suggest a four-year college or university as the “ideal post high school path,” a recent report found. 

By Carolyn Crist • June 13, 2025

Higher education overhaul: How GOP senators’ plan differs from House bill

The two versions agree on consolidating repayment plans and adding accountability for student outcomes, but vary in key ways. 

By Natalie Schwartz • June 12, 2025

Proposed Ohio budget would increase influence of university ‘intellectual diversity’ centers

If passed, the bill would create the Ohio Civics Board and give the centers' current directors oversight of the selection of their successors.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 10, 2025

Week in Review: Deep program cuts proposed at the Education Department

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from possible reductions to Pell Grants and other programs to the continued consolidation of colleges.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 9, 2025

Week in review: Trump administration targets Chinese student visas

We’re rounding up last week’s news, from another crackdown on international students to a new lawsuit against the National Science Foundation.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 2, 2025

College composting program turns cafeteria scraps to brown gold

Ohio University processes more than five tons of food waste daily, converting the scraps into compost used to fertilize campus plants or sold to neighbors. 

By Joe Burns • May 30, 2025

1 in 4 employers say they’ll eliminate degree requirements by year’s end

A majority of polled hiring managers also said their companies look at relevant experience over bachelor’s degrees during hiring decisions.

By Carolyn Crist • May 29, 2025

Ed tech venture funding market continued to tighten in Q1

Just $410 million in venture capital was invested in the space so far in 2025, furthering a post-pandemic dip.

By Roger Riddell • May 28, 2025

What’s the latest in Harvard University’s battle with the Trump administration?

The federal government illegally froze $2.2 billion of Harvard’s funding, a judge ruled, handing the Ivy League institution a major court victory.

By Laura Spitalniak • Updated Sept. 4, 2025

Penn State University’s board greenlights plan to close 7 campuses

A 25-8 vote sets in motion the plan to pare down the university’s commonwealth campuses to 13 after spring 2027.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2025