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University of New Orleans should rejoin LSU system, state board says
The public institution has been deteriorating financially since Hurricane Katrina hit the city two decades ago.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 28, 2025 -
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Deep Dive‘You can’t create 18-year-olds’: What can colleges do amid demographic upheaval?
Raising retention and attendance rates, and accommodating diverse student bodies, could take on new importance as the traditional-age pipeline weakens.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 27, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineCommunity Colleges
The nation’s community colleges look to innovative programs and funding models as they work to boost enrollment and stay financially afloat in the changing higher education world.
By Higher Ed Dive staff -
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Gender gaps in certain STEM majors are widening — but not everywhere
Growing divides in physics and other fields at less selective colleges may be troubling for institutions hoping to graduate students into high-paying careers.
By Lilah Burke • March 19, 2025 -
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Sponsored by SSP InternationalDiversifying 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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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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 -
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Texas A&M University to restrict undergrad enrollment growth following ‘massive’ increases
The public university wants to hold new undergraduate enrollment at its main campus to 15,000 a year so its infrastructure can catch up with recent growth.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2025 -
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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 -
Courtesy of Sonoma State University
‘Sobering news’: Sonoma State University makes broad cuts to tackle $24M deficit
The California public university plans to reduce staff, faculty and majors, as well as fold its athletics program.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 23, 2025 -
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First-year student enrollment spiked 5.5% in fall 2024
The final data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center comes a week after the group retracted preliminary findings showing a decline.
By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 23, 2025 -
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New York governor pursues free community college program for adult students
If passed by the Legislature, New York residents ages 25 to 55 could study for free if they enroll in certain high-demand programs.
By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 15, 2025 -
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National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reveals error in fall first-year student count
A methodology error resulted in an undercount of first-year students and an overcount of dual enrollees, the research center’s executive director said.
By Laura Spitalniak , Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 13, 2025 -
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Column // Merger WatchDeclining 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 -
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Brown University to slow faculty, staff growth as it attacks $90M budget hole
The Ivy League institution is rolling out several measures to tackle the deficit over the next five or so years, officials said.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 18, 2024 -
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Columbia College Chicago to cut 11 programs, up to 25 faculty jobs
A finalized plan to pare down and consolidate the private nonprofit’s offerings is meant to “keep our college competitive,” its president said.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 18, 2024 -
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Deep DiveInside University of the District of Columbia’s plan to transform
The historically Black college — Washington's only public university — wants to widen its appeal and raise its profile.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 17, 2024 -
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High school graduates to peak in 2025, with slightly deeper-than-expected declines ahead
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education’s latest projections serve as a call for policymakers and colleges to boost attendance rates.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 11, 2024 -
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How will colleges fare financially in 2025? It depends.
While some institutions will be in a strong position, S&P and Moody’s both pointed to operating and financial challenges for others.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 9, 2024 -
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College closures could increase sharply in the face of the demographic cliff
A new model for predicting financial failures from the Philadelphia Fed aimed to produce the most accurate forecasting to date of at-risk colleges.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 5, 2024 -
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No letup in financial pressure on colleges in 2025, Fitch says
A declining body of first-year students, uncertain international enrollment and high costs are weighing on many institutions, the ratings agency said.
By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Jan. 14, 2025 -
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How Brown University plans to maintain a diverse student body
The Ivy League institution will create six new positions and increase community outreach following the ban on race-conscious admissions.
By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 4, 2024 -
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How equitable is funding for public colleges?
Colleges with low shares of students of color receive the highest levels of funding, research finds.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 4, 2024 -
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Deep DiveWhy more colleges are seeking Hispanic-serving institution status
The coveted designation unlocks federal grants and signals a commitment to underrepresented students, though institutions face challenges getting there.
By Danielle McLean • Dec. 2, 2024 -
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Will the FAFSA cycle be smoother this year?
Financial aid experts recently expressed optimism that this year’s release of the financial aid form would be less chaotic than the last.
By Danielle McLean • Nov. 25, 2024
