Trump proposed a 'secret weapon' to police colleges. It will soon become reality

Accreditation determines which colleges can receive federal student loans and grants. Independent nonprofit agencies review schools’ finances, faculty, curricula, facilities and student outcomes, while the federal government oversees the agencies. A new Trump administration rule, due to take effect in July before the 2027-28 academic year, expands federal requirements and makes it easier for schools and states to establish or switch accreditors. The administration says the changes will encourage innovation, reduce costs and give students more useful information about colleges’ performance.

The most contentious change requires accreditors to assess whether schools expose students to a range of viewpoints. Supporters describe this as a way to foster open debate; critics warn it could let the federal government pressure colleges over teaching and campus speech by threatening their accreditation and access to federal aid. Even some conservatives object to putting the administration in a position to judge how institutions teach ideology. Other changes, including greater attention to graduation, retention, earnings and professional licensing outcomes, have broader support. The overhaul follows clashes between Republican-led states and accreditors over policies such as diversity programs and viewpoint requirements. Supporters expect greater competition to give colleges more freedom to experiment, while critics fear that weaker oversight and easier transfers between accreditors could leave students less protected and allow struggling schools to evade scrutiny.