Diversifying college admissions: Why test-optional is not as effective as we hoped

Data suggests test-blind policies remove higher education barriers for underrepresented students. 

March 10, 2025

Transfer enrollment ticked up 4.4% in the fall, report finds

Previously stopped-out students starting at new institutions made up a majority of transfers, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

International Students

A look at trends in international enrollment — and what the numbers mean for U.S. colleges and universities.

By Higher Ed Dive staff

Lumina sets new postsecondary attainment goal with focus on college ROI

The influential nonprofit wants 75% of U.S. adults to have a postsecondary degree or credential that leads to “economic prosperity” by 2040.

By Laura Spitalniak • March 4, 2025

AFT sues Education Department over anti-DEI guidance

The union alleged that the agency's recent guidance barring colleges from considering race in any of their programs and policies is unconstitutional.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 26, 2025

Why the University of Texas System is offering microcredentials to students — for free

The public network is providing access to Coursera’s Career Academy, which includes professional certificates from companies like Microsoft and Google. 

By Lilah Burke • Feb. 26, 2025

Court declines to block DOGE from accessing Education Department data

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, an Obama appointee, said the student group failed to show it faced “irreparable harm” without emergency relief. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 18, 2025

Best Buy launches free degrees for full- and part-time workers

The consumer electronics retailer said it will provide immediate access to the program on an employee’s first day of employment.

By Carolyn Crist • Feb. 18, 2025

Want to measure how much college graduates make? Timing matters.

Associate and bachelor’s degree holders have similar earnings right after graduation, but the differences widen over time, research finds. 

By Lilah Burke • Feb. 18, 2025

The latest roundup of DEI cuts across the country

From liberal arts colleges to massive public flagships, institutions of all kinds are moving to comply with changing federal expectations.

By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 12, 2025

DOGE temporarily blocked from accessing Education Department student aid data

In a lawsuit, the University of California Student Association alleged that the “scale of intrusion into individuals’ privacy is enormous and unprecedented.”

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated Feb. 24, 2025

Legacy admissions tumbled dramatically over past decade

The share of four-year institutions considering an applicant's family ties to an alum has dropped by half since 2015, Education Reform Now found. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 10, 2025

Education Department opens Title IX probes following anti-trans order

The agency said it is investigating San José State University, the University of Pennsylvania and a middle and high school athletics association. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 6, 2025

NYC Public Schools moves to launch early college program with Delaware State

The partnership aims to have high school students graduate with an associate degree — and automatic admission to the historically Black college. 

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 6, 2025

Trump signs executive order barring transgender students from women’s sports

During the signing ceremony, the president warned colleges and K-12 schools that they could lose federal funding if they don’t comply.

By Natalie Schwartz • Updated Feb. 5, 2025

Accreditors brace for Trump’s promised higher ed shakeup

At Council for Higher Education Accreditation's annual conference, sector leaders shared the policy shifts they're expecting under the new administration.

By Ben Unglesbee , Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 31, 2025

Florida lawmakers pass bill to roll back in-state tuition for undocumented students

But Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated he would not sign the sweeping legislative package, saying it "would actually weaken state immigration enforcement.”

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 31, 2025

The coming decline in high school graduate counts, in 5 charts

A recent forecast dove deep into the demographics and number of future traditional-aged college prospects. The news wasn’t all bad.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2025

How Stony Brook University got students off academic probation

Leaders from the public college unveiled the results at the American Association of Colleges and Universities' conference in Washington, D.C.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 23, 2025

Common App data shows 5% jump in first-year college applicants

Applications grew at a faster pace in the 2024-25 cycle among students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, the company reported.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 17, 2025

Florida bill would block undocumented students from selective public colleges

The proposal comes the day after Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special legislative session focused on implementing tougher immigration policies.

By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 15, 2025

House passes bill to restrict transgender students’ participation in women’s sports

The Senate has introduced companion legislation, though the proposal may have a tough time overcoming the chamber’s filibuster rule. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2025

What do FAFSA completion rates look like post-pandemic?

Lower shares of middle-income students in the class of 2023 completed the federal financial aid form than those who graduated before the health crisis. 

By Lilah Burke • Jan. 8, 2025

Dartmouth basketball players withdraw labor union bid

The decision may be connected to the incoming Trump administration, which is unlikely to back the athletes’ union petition, one attorney wrote.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 7, 2025

House Republicans prioritize bill to restrict transgender students’ sports participation

Lawmakers reintroduced a proposal that would prevent transgender women from competing on college sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 6, 2025

Declining K-12 enrollment spells trouble for higher education’s future

Given demographic trends, the sector will likely become more competitive and experience more closures, one consolidation expert argues. 

By Ricardo Azziz • Dec. 19, 2024