Week in review: Trump administration policies hit colleges’ pocketbooks

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from the federal government’s new probes and deals to the impact of policy shifts on the higher education sector.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 4, 2025

150K fewer international students this fall? That’s what one analysis predicts.

A sharp drop in foreign enrollment could cost colleges $7 billion in revenue and 60,000 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 1, 2025

‘Everything, everywhere, all at once’: How Trump has upended higher ed finance in 2025

Experts at the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ annual conference broke down the wave of policy changes the sector is facing.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 31, 2025

Northwestern University cuts 425 jobs in face of federal funding pressure

The private institution is laying off staff and axing vacant roles in a time that is “among most difficult in our institution’s 174-year history,” senior leaders said.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 30, 2025

How Cal State is betting on shared services amid funding cuts

Campuses are increasingly collaborating on backend services to save costs and become nimbler in a tough financial environment.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 28, 2025

Temple University to lay off 50 employees

The public institution is cutting 190 positions in an effort to slash its $60 million deficit in half.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 21, 2025

Trump 2.0 brings layoffs and budget cuts at 8 major colleges

With uncertainty around research funding, international students and financial aid, institutions are shrinking budgets as they try to weather financial turmoil.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 17, 2025

University of Southern California signals layoffs amid $200M budget gap

A transformed operating model is needed to address lower federal research support and a growing shortfall, USC's interim president said.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 16, 2025

Bacone College shut down after 145 years. What went wrong?

The Oklahoma institution had shaky finances for years. And some insiders have accused it of straying from its mission of serving Native American students. 

By Ben Unglesbee • July 14, 2025

Moody’s: Trump’s tough international student policies could hit some colleges hard

Visa processing slowdowns and travel bans could mean lost revenue, tighter margins and financial stress.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 11, 2025

George Washington University hints at layoffs amid federal policy upheaval

The private nonprofit is facing an “unsustainable compounding deficit” and uncertainty about research funding, top officials said in a community message.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 9, 2025

Boston University to lay off 120 staffers amid budget challenges

The private institution faces federal funding uncertainty along with operational headaches such as rising costs.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 8, 2025

‘One big mistake’: Higher ed sounds warning over GOP budget law

From higher endowment taxes to student loan limits, colleges and students will face a dramatically new landscape with the passage of a new spending law.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 7, 2025

Siena Heights University to close after coming academic year

The 105-year-old Catholic nonprofit in Michigan concluded it was “no longer feasible” to continue operating.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 1, 2025

Brown University preps for ‘significant cost-cutting’ amid federal funding disruption

The Ivy League institution's top officials signaled possible staff reductions along with scaled back capital spending and other measures.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 30, 2025

Stanford University expects layoffs in coming year

The private nonprofit is cutting $140 million from its budget as it grapples with “significant budget consequences” from federal policy shifts.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 27, 2025

Key higher ed provisions in reconciliation bill violate Senate rules, official finds

Expanding Pell Grants to short-term programs and consolidating student loan programs were among the proposals flagged by the chamber’s parliamentarian.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2025

University of Connecticut eyes workforce cuts to manage funding shortfalls

Faced with cuts to state and federal funding, leaders are clamping down on hiring and reviewing temporary positions, along with other austerity measures.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 24, 2025

Tuition discounts at private nonprofits continue to climb, estimates show

Colleges have been giving larger aid packages to greater shares of students, the National Association of College and University Business Officers found. 

By Natalie Schwartz • June 24, 2025

Columbia College Chicago lays off 20 faculty members

The cuts come as the private nonprofit attempts to “invest in areas that correspond to strong student demand,” one official told the campus community.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 23, 2025

Temple University eyes job reductions amid $60M deficit for FY26

The public institution’s president said that enrollment is starting to rebound after a steep drop since 2017, but costs have increased much more quickly.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 20, 2025

Tennessee State operations get $96M boost from reallocated state funds

Tennessee's comptroller cited his confidence in the beleaguered university's current leadership team when signing the deal Tuesday.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 18, 2025

AAUP and AFT appeal after judge tosses lawsuit over canceled Columbia funds

The judge ruled that the unions lacked standing to sue and sided with the Trump administration’s case.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 17, 2025

Tennessee State raises tuition 6% amid budget stabilization effort

Even with the tuition hike, the public historically Black institution faces a nearly $39 million shortfall.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 16, 2025

University of Nebraska looks to cut another $20M from its budget

Amid state and federal funding challenges, the public Midwestern institution has already cut tens of millions of dollars in spending in recent years.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 13, 2025