The World of Higher Education The Annual Kelchen Review: The Top 10 U.S. Higher Ed Stories in 2025
Dec 11, 2025
Robert Kelchen, a renowned higher-education researcher, joins host Alex Usher to review 2025's biggest stories in American higher education. They explore the implications of fluctuating state funding, rising athletic budgets, and the government's attempts to reshape the Department of Education. The discussion highlights challenges in international student enrollment, evolving DEI policies, and the impact of AI on campus dynamics. Kelchen also analyzes significant legislative changes like the One Beautiful Bill Act and the contentious Higher Education Compact from the Trump administration.
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Public Funding Near A Peak
- State funding for public higher education mostly held steady in 2025 after recovering from the Great Recession.
- Kelchen warns this peak may end as states face growing budget deficits and potential tuition increases.
Department Of Education Is Being Hollowed Out
- The Trump administration pursued dismantling or hollowing out the U.S. Department of Education via reassigning functions and cuts.
- This created confusing interagency arrangements and a much smaller statistical staff at the Department.
Athletics Drive Rising Campus Costs
- Athletic spending continues to surge, with some institutions running $200 million budgets and costly coach buyouts.
- New pay-for-play settlements add roughly $20 million a year for big programs, pushing costs onto donors or students.