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Higher ed is under an 'accountability umbrella,' with federal aid newly tied to what graduates earn

Jul 17, 2026

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4 min read

Higher ed is under an 'accountability umbrella,' with federal aid newly tied to what graduates earn

Our new tool lets users compare earnings outcomes of certificate programs around the country. Two higher-ed experts share their takeaways from the data.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Workforce Pell is here. States are racing to catch up.

Jul 2, 2026

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3 min read

Workforce Pell is here. States are racing to catch up.

Eventually, 100,000 students annually could receive the funds for short-term training programs.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Tenure under attack

Jun 19, 2026

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3 min read

Tenure under attack

The number of professors with tenure has been on the decline for decades. Legislators and university systems are accelerating that trend, weakening tenure protections.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
The college students facing an unexpected eviction threat

Jun 5, 2026

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3 min read

The college students facing an unexpected eviction threat

Student parents in their mid- to late-30s are about twice as likely to face an eviction filing as their peers who aren’t in school.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
There’s a shortage of nurses. And there’s a shortage of faculty to train new ones.

May 15, 2026

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3 min read

There’s a shortage of nurses. And there’s a shortage of faculty to train new ones.

The new borrowing limits for graduate school could make both problems worse.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Here's what to know about the final student loan rules

May 1, 2026

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3 min read

Here's what to know about the final student loan rules

The department dismissed critiques of its new repayment plan and its limits on graduate student borrowing. The changes take effect July 1.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
How larger Pell Grants could boost college completion

Apr 17, 2026

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2 min read

How larger Pell Grants could boost college completion

An inflation-adjusted Pell Grant would be worth several hundred more dollars. That could help keep low-income students enrolled.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Faculty say they're in 'constant triage mode' amid political pressures

Apr 3, 2026

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7 min read

Faculty say they're in 'constant triage mode' amid political pressures

The majority of faculty and administrators said in a recent survey that their well-being has declined in the last year.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Many Black graduates of for-profit colleges wouldn’t choose them again

Mar 13, 2026

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8 min read

Many Black graduates of for-profit colleges wouldn’t choose them again

Focus group participants said they enrolled with limited information, received little support and often graduated with heavy debt.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
FAFSA completions on track for record-breaking year

Feb 27, 2026

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7 min read

FAFSA completions on track for record-breaking year

So far, 43% of high school seniors have completed the application, unlocking access to federal financial aid.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Why higher ed is a 'vital part' of state economies

Feb 13, 2026

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7 min read

Why higher ed is a 'vital part' of state economies

The median U.S. household takes home nearly $20,000 more in income than it did 50 years ago. A key reason? College.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
Colleges, employers ask each other: ‘How can I help you?’

Jan 30, 2026

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6 min read

Colleges, employers ask each other: ‘How can I help you?’

They're working together to create clear pathways into good-paying jobs that meet student needs and employer demands.

Colleen Murphy
Colleen Murphy
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