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

5 higher ed lawsuits to watch in 2026

The Trump administration is at the center of major unfolding litigation, from efforts to cap overhead research funding to attacks on Harvard University.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 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

Education Department moves to overhaul accreditation regulations

The agency wants to make it easier for new accreditors to gain recognition and to curb diversity, equity and inclusion standards, per a Federal Register notice. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 27, 2026

Does Northwestern’s $75M Trump deal stifle speech?

First Amendment experts break down the free speech implications of the heavily scrutinized agreement to restore the university’s research funding. 

By David Weisenfeld • Jan. 26, 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

Education Department halts effort to implement controversial anti-DEI letter

The agency dropped its appeal of a court ruling against guidance aimed at ending race-based programs in colleges and schools.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 22, 2026

Florida proposal seeks 1-year pause on H-1B hires at public universities

The draft policy comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the state’s public university system to end what he described as “H-1B abuse.”

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 22, 2026

University of Pennsylvania rebuffs EEOC demand for employee records

The Ivy League institution said it is objecting to creating lists of workers that would “reveal their Jewish faith or ancestry” over safety and other concerns.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 22, 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

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

Week in review: Federal lawmakers reject drastic cuts to scientific research

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from one California arts college announcing its closure to insights from the latest enrollment data. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 19, 2026

Portland State agrees to reinstate 10 laid-off faculty members

Although officials are complying with a recent arbitration order, the university’s president contends the reductions were “necessary and appropriate.”

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 16, 2026

Education Department launches 18 Title IX transgender athlete investigations

The new string of investigations into some colleges and schools comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court hearing on the issue this week.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 14, 2026

Supreme Court weighs state restrictions on transgender student athletes

Justices heard back-to-back oral arguments Tuesday over two cases that could determine whether such bans are constitutional. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2026

Texas just made it easier for students to report DEI, faculty senate violations

The Students First portal is meant to give "the public easy access to file complaints" about colleges, a new state oversight office said.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 13, 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

Supreme Court to hear arguments in transgender student athlete cases

Justices on Tuesday will weigh whether Title IX protects transgender athletes or bans them from participating on teams aligning with their gender identity.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 12, 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

3 big takeaways from CIC’s Presidents Institute

Higher education experts offered insight on topics ranging from how colleges can tackle societal challenges to how they should approach diversity work. 

By Natalie Schwartz • 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

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

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

NIH cap on indirect research costs struck down on appeal

The agency announced a 15% across-the-board limit on overhead reimbursement in February, which judges so far have concluded was illegal.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 6, 2026