Lumina Foundation is working to increase the share of adults in the U.S. labor force with college degrees or other credentials of value leading to economic prosperity.
American adults who don’t currently have a college degree see value in pursuing higher education, but the cost of a credential, mental health challenges, emotional stress, or the flexibility of classes can prevent some from enrolling in and completing a program, according to the results of a survey released today.
Lumina Foundation and Gallup surveyed nearly 14,000 adults in October to learn more about their views toward higher education and the barriers they face in attaining a credential. This latest report is part of the State of Higher Education study, which began in 2020.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College's commitment to ensuring that no student graduates into poverty has resulted in some unexpected and creative insights regarding student success and accountability. It also helped Southwest Wisconsin earn the 2025 Aspen Prize.
By revamping or getting rid of programs that led to low-wage jobs, collaborating with local employers, and expanding support services, this small rural college has been able to raise wages and graduation rates, especially for students with low incomes. Today, Pell-eligible students graduate at nearly twice the national rate.
Republican governors this spring have signed into law a wave of legislation targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, tenure, and struggling academic programs as part of a concerted effort to remake the landscape of higher education.
The legislation has already spurred college leaders to make a variety of changes to student programming and degree offerings.
Undocumented students in Colorado have gone on to become teachers, nurses, and business owners thanks to a program that allows them to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
Now the future of that program and ones like it in 23 other states is in doubt after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that seeks to punish states and cities with so-called sanctuary policies. The order also specifically calls out programs that provide in-state tuition for undocumented students who graduated from high school in that state or who meet other residency requirements.
A bruising battle over academic freedom is being waged in Texas, where the legislature is poised to give the state power to screen faculty, programs, and courses in one of the country’s largest public university systems, and experts say the outcome could reverberate for higher education nationwide.
Conservative lawmakers, who control all levers of the state government, are advancing a measure they say would hold institutions more accountable and ensure curriculum is “free from ideological bias.” Faculty could be removed or face civil penalties for violations. Schools that fail to comply could be barred from spending state funds.
The effort to repeal an anti-DEI law taking effect on Ohio’s public university campuses this summer can officially begin.
Republican Attorney General Dave Yost has certified signatures and language submitted by professors and others who want to repeal Senate Bill 1, the law that bans most mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on Ohio's college campuses. It also prevents faculty from striking and makes a host of additional changes.
