National News
Addressing the CTE faculty shortage
A nationwide shortage of career and technical education faculty is straining workforce pipelines as colleges struggle to recruit and retain qualified instructors. Experts say more flexible hiring and stronger support are needed to stabilize CTE programs.
Wells College agrees to sell campus to nonprofit group that promotes Native American history
UB Staff -
The college’s board of trustees said that the Hiawatha Institute for Indigenous Knowledge was the successful bidder for the campus. The board said the organization has indicated that it plans to use the campus for educational purposes.
Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ increasingly favoring degrees, GPA and top colleges
A 2025 survey of over 150 companies found that more than a quarter, 26%, were recruiting from a brief selection of schools, up from 17% that were doing the same in 2022, according to research from recruiting intelligence firm Veris Insights.
Inside the $14.5 million federal push to create new college accreditors
Forbes -
The U.S. Department of Education awarded $14.5 million to support new, outcomes-focused college accreditors that could reshape how higher education quality and access to federal aid are evaluated.
Struggling Western Massachusetts college misses enrollment goal by half
MassLive -
After nearly closing in 2019, Hampshire College missed its 2025 enrollment goal by half, enrolling about 150 new students. College leaders cite increased competition as other institutions expanded their waitlists.
Why many U.S. colleges were once tuition-free
History -
Shrinking state funding in the 1970s forced colleges to shift costs to students, ending the era of widespread tuition-free higher education. Expanded federal student loans then helped drive tuition sharply higher, according to History.
Auto shop class is thriving. Community college students basically fix your car for free
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College offers the largest community college auto repair program in the region, turning out graduates ready to work at dealership service centers, independent shops and the fleet departments of municipalities, among other areas.
$2.3B more sought by SC colleges includes extraterrestrial request
An unmanned underwater research vehicle, an event center to train hospitality students and an institute centered around federal defense research are among items on South Carolina colleges’ budget wish list for the coming year.
U.S. law schools face loan limits, oversight pressures in 2026
Reuters -
U.S. law schools head into 2026 under tighter student loan caps and growing scrutiny of ABA oversight, even as applications surge. The changes are reshaping how schools fund and regulate legal education.
NYU professor turned to AI oral exams after student work began resembling McKinsey memos
UB Staff -
An NYU professor introduced AI-powered oral exams after students struggled to explain polished, AI-assisted assignments. The move reflects how colleges are rethinking assessment in the generative AI era.
How top colleges are helping students turn degrees into jobs
To boost job prospects after graduation, some colleges are investing in internships, co-ops and career coaching that connect learning to real work.
How student loans and financial aid are changing in 2026
MSN -
In 2026, the federal government will curb access to billions of dollars in student loans, reconfigure how borrowers repay their debt and provide new grant money for short-term career training programs.
2 in 5 college students face food insecurity—colleges are working to help
NPR -
Between uncertainty over SNAP payments amid the government shutdown and the rising cost of living, many students are turning to campus food pantries to help meet basic needs.
A look at some of the largest U.S. colleges
UB Staff -
Here's a noncomprehensive list of seven colleges—one private—that enroll more than 48,000 students.
College presidents on corporate boards can draw schools into controversy. It happened at Clemson
Clemson University President Jim Clements came under scrutiny for serving on a corporate board linked to a controversial development near campus. The case highlights how such roles can expose colleges to conflict-of-interest concerns.
Important student loan forgiveness deadline is looming: What to know
UB Staff -
SAVE plan borrowers eligible for forgiveness must switch to another income-driven repayment plan by the end of December to avoid tax liability.
More young people are questioning the value of college, some universities are rethinking liberal arts programs
NPR -
Some universities, including Brandeis University, are responding by reshaping humanities programs to emphasize real-world skills, career advising and hands-on work experience.
As the holidays near, colleges work to ensure students have enough to eat
NPR -
As the holidays near, colleges work to ensure students have enough to eat
More Texas students complete journey through college, but low-income students still left behind
Students who are economically disadvantaged are far less likely to receive a degree or certificate. In Texas, nearly 60% of public education students are economically disadvantaged.
9 top college majors for veterans
UB Staff -
For veterans, the smartest majors pair existing skills with strong job prospects—supporting both financial stability and a meaningful civilian career.
Side hustles and skills: How today’s college students are redefining success beyond the classroom
A new Quizlet survey of 2,000 U.S. Gen Z adults found that the generation defies common stereotypes, demonstrating ambition, strategic career planning and a strong focus on skill-building and professional development.
What college affordability debates get wrong on the returns to college
The return to college has not declined, and the cost of college has not risen for years. It’s tough to fix problems that don’t exist.
This pricey Pa. liberal arts college has just taken a big step toward affordability
Dickinson College jwill be tuition-free for all students coming from households with annual income under $125,000.
Dept. of Education affirms Grand Canyon University’s nonprofit status after years-long battle
GCU said the designation will allow them to provide more private scholarships; partner more with school districts, hospitals and donors; receive government relief funds and grants; and participate in NCAA athletics.
Recent college graduates face a world with fewer jobs—and loan payments are due soon
KCUR -
Would-be entry-level workers described using elaborate spreadsheets to track dozens of job applications, lost opportunities from federal cuts and hiring processes that made them question their self-worth.
Lawmakers urge Education Department to add nursing to ‘professional’ programs list amid uproar
AP News -
Lawmakers are pressing the Education Department to include nursing in programs eligible for higher federal loan caps. They warn the current proposal would make advanced nursing degrees harder to afford.
3 strategies to help colleges work together and attract more students
Experts say new collaborations, adult-learner strategies and state financial incentives could help institutions share resources and better meet student needs.
University presidents reflect on academic freedom amid Trump’s push to reshape higher education
ABC News -
According to Neeli Bendapudi, the president of Penn State University, it is "important" that the federal government "continue that tradition of investing in our higher education system because it's a huge competitive advantage."
Tacos and tuition: A look at new college benefits for the low-wage workforce
Companies like Chipotle and McDonald’s offer tuition benefits through a federal program providing $5,250 in tax-free education assistance. New changes will adjust the cap for inflation and make tax-free loan repayment permanent.
Preparing community colleges for what comes next
2026 will favor community colleges that reinvent themselves to ensure institutional resilience, market relevance and programmatic alignment with workforce and community needs.
Without affirmative action, elite colleges are prioritizing economic diversity in admissions
ABC News -
Elite colleges are enrolling record numbers of low-income students by widening recruitment and boosting aid. The shift is drawing scrutiny from the Trump administration, which questions whether targeting needier students is legal.
Why northern students are flocking to Southern colleges
UB Staff -
TikTok, lower tuition, and a search for new campus culture are fueling a surge of students from the North heading south.
Catholic liberal arts colleges face the AI test
Catholic liberal arts colleges are adjusting to an AI-driven job market while defending the value of their human-centered education. Educators say skills like judgment and ethical reasoning remain essential as schools integrate AI.
Unaccredited law schools: pros and cons
UB Staff -
Even if graduates of unaccredited law schools save money upfront, their career prospects often suffer. They have significantly lower bar-passage and employment rates than peers from accredited programs.
Amid uncertainty, some colleges brace for more cuts
WGBH -
Colleges are preparing for more budget cuts and layoffs amid financial strain and federal policy uncertainty. Declining enrollment—especially among international students—is intensifying the pressure.
