Santa Monica College approves dozens of layoffs to target shortfalls

The California public institution is struggling with a persistent structural deficit as well as recent and long-term enrollment declines.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 9, 2026

‘An urgent operational reality’: Southern Oregon University faces looming cash shortfall

The struggling regional institution has seen enrollment decline and is now trying to manage its expenses amid constrained revenue.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 4, 2026

Princeton moves to tighten budgets as investment markets slow

More than half of the Ivy League institution's operating revenue comes from endowment income, but lower returns and higher taxes could stymie growth.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 4, 2026

Duke’s budget and employee cuts called into question by audit

An analysis of the private North Carolina institution’s finances found ample reserves and resources, drawing a rebuke from faculty.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 2, 2026

Penn undergoes another round of budget-tightening measures

The Ivy League institution directed leaders of its schools and centers to reduce “certain expenditures” by 4% amid federal policy headwinds.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 30, 2026

Nevada higher ed leaders approve hefty tuition hike for public colleges

The 8-5 vote by the state college system’s governing board will ultimately raise tuition by 12% at four-year institutions and 9% for two-year colleges.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 28, 2026

Cornell University lands $371.5M gift, the largest in its history

The pledge from software billionaire David Duffield, added to his $100 million gift last year, will go toward the Ivy League institution's engineering school. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 23, 2026

In rapid about-face, Morris Brown College brings back president it fired

The historically Black institution’s board said it didn’t comply with contractual and procedural requirements when it terminated Kevin James.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 21, 2026

Federal policy uncertainty is disrupting planning, college leaders say

Concerns loom large about institutional autonomy and long-term financial viability, an American Council on Education survey found.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 21, 2026

Congress moves to reject Trump plan to slash Education Department funding

A bipartisan 2026 spending proposal from both legislative chambers would preserve funding for a litany of student support programs.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 20, 2026

Nevada public colleges eye tuition hikes to spare some 300 jobs

The state’s higher education system is considering a 12% tuition increase at four-year institutions and 9% for two-year colleges amid a looming funding gap.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 16, 2026

Hampshire College faces closure risk if it can’t refinance debt, audit says

The private Massachusetts institution is in financial distress once again after coming back from the brink of closure in 2019. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 16, 2026

California College of the Arts to close, Vanderbilt to take over campus

The expanding Tennessee university plans to keep alive aspects of the 120-year-old arts college’s legacy. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 14, 2026

Senate advances bills rejecting Trump’s efforts to slash research funding

The White House sought cuts of 40% or more at some agencies, but lawmakers from both parties are pushing to hold science spending relatively steady.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 13, 2026

How Oregon’s top higher ed board wants to solve university deficits

The state's Higher Education Coordinating Commission recommended "institutional integration" and regular audits of academic programs.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 13, 2026

California public colleges would get millions in new funding under Newsom plan

Gov. Gavin Newsom's fiscal 2027 budget proposal represents a sharp turnaround from last year, when he advocated for big higher ed cuts.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 12, 2026

Connecticut Democrats pitch plan for state-level graduate loan program

The proposal aims to fill a $90 million hole left by the Grad PLUS federal lending system, which will end for new borrowers this summer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 9, 2026

How many graduate borrowers will be impacted by the looming lending limits?

A new analysis finds that roughly 28% of graduate borrowers in recent years have borrowed above the new caps taking effect in July.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 9, 2026

UNL faculty blast chancellor’s $1.1M severance payout amid budget cuts

Rodney Bennett unexpectedly announced this week he would step down following a fierce debate over eliminating programs.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 7, 2026

What 3 credit ratings agencies forecast for higher ed in 2026

Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and Moody's Ratings all predicted a tough year ahead, pointing to deteriorating financial conditions and heightened uncertainty.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 5, 2026

Pomona College considers acquiring Claremont Graduate University

The pair initiated confidential talks in late spring and entered exclusive talks in December to negotiate a definite agreement over the coming months.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 22, 2025

Christian Brothers University to cut 16 faculty jobs

The Catholic institution recently came off accreditor probation after a long restructuring process and past struggles with enrollment.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 19, 2025

DePaul University cuts nearly 8% of staff

The Catholic institution is trying to plug an unplanned budget shortfall after a sharp decline of international students and other financial woes.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 16, 2025

DeSantis wants to give USF’s Sarasota campus to New College of Florida

The Florida governor's budget proposal would expand the liberal arts college, which he has sought to make a conservative blueprint for higher education.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 12, 2025

College costs grew 3.6% in fiscal 2025, HEPI shows

Faculty salaries rose 4.3%, the highest recorded rate since the Higher Education Price Index began tracking inflation in the category in 1998.

By Natalie Schwartz • Dec. 12, 2025