Editorial | The Trump administration’s continued attack on higher education

July 27, 2026 - 10:06

The Trump administration's decision to withhold federal student loans from college programs deemed to produce low-earning graduates represents a troubling escalation in its ongoing assault on higher education. The Daily Pennsylvanian Summer Editorial Board argues that this policy does little to solve the student debt crisis and instead places an unfair burden on students seeking access to education.

By targeting programs with lower post-graduation income, the administration effectively punishes fields that are essential to society but may not lead to high salaries. Social work, teaching, and the arts are among the disciplines that could suffer. The policy assumes that the only measure of a program's worth is the future paycheck of its graduates, ignoring the broader value of education in fostering critical thinking and civic engagement.

restricting federal loans does not address the root causes of rising tuition costs. It shifts the blame onto students and institutions without holding colleges accountable for their own spending or forcing them to lower prices. Instead of expanding opportunity, this approach closes doors for low-income and first-generation students who rely on federal aid to attend college.

The administration should focus on making education more affordable and transparent, not on cutting off the financial lifeline that allows millions to pursue their degrees.