Research shows that while the cost of attendance is going up, the actual amount students pay has stagnated or even ticked down a bit for most families.
This year, Harvard University once again secured the top spot of most desirable colleges, after being bested by Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2025, according to a recent survey of college-bound students by The Princeton Review.
Data from the 2024 National Alumni RNL survey show that alumni who had a positive college experience are four times more likely to donate, though the average alumni giving rate during the 2023–2024 academic year was just 8.6%.
Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber said weaker endowment prospects could lead to program consolidations or cuts. He said the move reflects long-term financial trends, not an immediate crisis.
As the Ivies push graduates into careers in consulting, finance and tech, organizers with the Class Action movement are questioning their schools' corporate partnerships.
Northwestern University has agreed to pay $75 million to restore $750 million in federal funding that was suspended over government allegations of "unlawful discrimination."
