Texas community colleges offer more bachelor's degrees than ever, but only 4,500 students enrolled last fall compared with 114,000 at public universities. Leaders say the programs are affordable paths to good jobs but face low awareness and lingering doubts.
California saw a sharp rise in federal financial aid applications this year, with nearly three-quarters of public high school seniors applying—evidence the state's push is paying off.
Charlie Kirk launched his "American Comeback Tour" this fall, inviting students to debate him at college campuses across the country. The Turning Point USA founder, credited with mobilizing young voters, died during the tour's first stop in Utah.
Accreditation's decade-long review cycles often miss problems, but a new AEI report says technology-driven monitoring could modernize oversight and better serve students.
Trump's crackdown on international students has left colleges facing steep financial strain, with schools like the University of Central Missouri cutting costs and raising tuition to cope.
Last year more than a million international students studied in the U.S., contributing about $43 billion into the U.S. economy. But researchers predict a drop of about 150,000 new international students this fall, leading to a decline of about 15% overall.
