Education Department official warns 2 accreditors over DEI standards

Under Secretary Nicholas Kent raised concerns about the agencies' diversity, equity and inclusion requirements even though they have been suspended.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 18, 2026

Iowa Senate panel blocks anti-DEI bill targeting private colleges

The state Legislature is still weighing a bevy of legislation that could dramatically reshape Iowa's public universities.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 17, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial Intelligence

As AI continues its forward march in education and the workplace, colleges are grapplling with how best to incorporate the emerging technology into admissions, coursework and elsewhere.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Does requiring professors to post their syllabi threaten free speech?

Some First Amendment experts defended these requirements, but others view them as politically motivated and meant to suppress certain classroom topics.

By David Weisenfeld • March 17, 2026

Federal judge again bumps deadline for new race and sex admissions data

Colleges covered by a lawsuit from 17 attorneys general now have until April 6 to fulfill the U.S. Department of Education's reporting requirements.

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated March 24, 2026

Former Indian River State College CFO files whistleblower retaliation, defamation suit

Marvin Pyles alleged he was unfairly terminated after uncovering millions in financial mismanagement. He is seeking reinstatement and backpay.

By Grace Noto • March 16, 2026

Is the political climate driving students to larger colleges?

Recent survey findings explore whether the political climate is impacting college selection, including the size of institution they want to attend.

By Ricardo Azziz • March 16, 2026

Iowa House passes bills to dramatically shift operations at public universities

Majority votes from the state's conservative lawmakers advanced legislation that would significantly reshape how Iowa colleges can operate.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 13, 2026

3 insights into the 17-state lawsuit over admissions data requirements

A coalition of attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Education over its effort to collect applicant and student data broken down by race and sex. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 12, 2026

Trump’s anti-DEI orders stand for now, but future challenges can’t be ruled out

Experts say the White House is emboldened to act “aggressively,” making it important for employers to audit their diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

By Ryan Golden • March 12, 2026

Virginia lawmakers weigh changes to academic freedom, governing boards

Both chambers of the statehouse have passed versions of a bill designed to strengthen shared governance. Now, they need to agree on the details.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 11, 2026

GSA plan would ban DEI for all federal funding recipients — including colleges

The General Services Administration proposal comes after a similar policy from the U.S. Department of Education was blocked in courts.

By Naaz Modan • March 11, 2026

Cal State sues Trump administration over Title IX funding threats

The administration is threatening San José State University's funding over a transgender student-athlete's previous participation in women's sports.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 10, 2026

Key federal education data collections under review in IES overhaul

An internal document recommended "six big shifts" for the Institute for Education Sciences, which was gutted by layoffs a year ago.

By Naaz Modan • March 10, 2026

Public comment period for Workforce Pell regulations opens

The U.S. Department of Education issued its proposed rule to govern the expansion of Pell Grants to programs as short as eight weeks. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 9, 2026

University of Wyoming must review programs and staffing for possible cuts

The public institution came out of a cut-hungry legislative session with its funding intact, but it now has a state mandate to look for reductions.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 9, 2026

Public colleges could face pressure amid state budget woes, Fitch says

Republican-led federal cuts and a shaky economy could set up competition for funds — and historically, higher education gets cut first in tough times.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 6, 2026

Indiana public colleges must soon accept this alternative to the SAT and ACT

The state's public colleges will be required to accept the Classic Learning Test, a conservative darling, in their admissions beginning in July.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 6, 2026

Oregon lawmakers move to review public colleges, explore restructuring

They passed a bill that would mandate a study of the state’s institutions to recommend ways to put them on better financial footing. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 6, 2026

McMahon: Education Department shutdown is still the goal

Despite legal challenges to the agency’s layoffs, the secretary said she sees progress with several Trump administration priorities.

By Kara Arundel • March 6, 2026

Florida bill seeks further limit on out-of-state enrollment at top universities

The state’s House passed a measure that would cap nonresident students to no more than 5% of first-time, full-time fall enrollment at certain institutions. 

By Natalie Schwartz • March 5, 2026

Lawmakers mull $15M in emergency funding for Southern Oregon University

The proposal comes as the public institution wrestles with dwindling cash reserves and a potentially dangerous shortfall by next year.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2026

Education Department urged to broaden ‘professional’ student definition

Professional students will be able to borrow $100,000 more than other graduate students, but a proposed rule would exclude certain fields from the higher cap. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 3, 2026

Indiana governor signs law to cut ‘low earning’ college degrees

Republican Gov. Mike Braun's signature on Thursday likely sets up further cuts to his state's higher education offerings.

By Laura Spitalniak • Updated March 6, 2026

‘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