Not just Harvard and Columbia—these 60 universities are now on the Trump administration's radar
In a sweeping move that could reshape the landscape of American higher education, the Trump administration has escalated its efforts to pressure universities, elite and public alike, by opening more than 100 investigations across the country and suspending key benefits like student visas and federal funds.
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At the center of this campaign are two of the nation's most prestigious institutions: Harvard and Columbia. But they're just the tip of the iceberg.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order enforcing a six-month ban on foreign student visas specifically for Harvard University, citing concerns over its alleged 'ideological indoctrination.' Columbia University, meanwhile, faces the threat of losing its accreditation entirely.
These actions are part of a broader effort to challenge the academic and cultural practices in higher education institutions, especially around diversity initiatives, gender identity policies, and responses to last year's pro-Palestinian protests.
And it's not just rhetoric. Billions in research funds have been frozen. Dozens of investigations have been launched. And more than 60 universities—including Yale, MIT, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan—are now officially under scrutiny.
A campus culture war with national stakes
What began as targeted criticisms of elite institutions has now ballooned into a full-blown federal offensive. The Department of Education has opened at least 104 active investigations, most since May 2024. Of these, 70 focus on universities and colleges, many of them nationally ranked.
According to an Education Week report, 52 universities have been investigated specifically over their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, which the Trump administration claims foster 'race-based programming' in violation of constitutional principles.
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The remaining cases involve alleged antisemitism, nondisclosure of foreign funding, gender policies, and responses to student activism over the Gaza conflict.
What's striking is the administration's dual rationale: protecting Jewish students from what it views as rising antisemitism on campuses, and dismantling what it calls 'leftist indoctrination machines.'
The real-world costs: Funding, freedom, and foreign students
This crackdown goes beyond symbolism. At Harvard, the visa freeze is already creating turmoil among international students and faculty.
Other universities are reporting delays or cancellations in federal research grants, especially those involving climate science, sociology, and public policy—fields often at odds with the current administration's agenda.
According to university leaders, the Trump administration is threatening not just funding but the very foundation of academic freedom. 'It's no longer just about student conduct or curriculum—it's about control,' one Ivy League administrator said under condition of anonymity.
Northwestern University, which had preemptively implemented a series of anti-discrimination reforms similar to those demanded of Columbia, was still added to the list of targeted schools. Experts say that reflects a more ideological motive behind the selections rather than a measured response to campus-specific issues.
A list that keeps growing
Columbia University
Northwestern University
Portland State University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
American University
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Yale University
Scripps College
University of Washington
Arizona State University
Boise State University
Cal Poly Humboldt
California State University - San Bernardino
Carnegie Mellon University
Clemson University
Cornell University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
Grand Valley State University
Ithaca College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Montana State University - Bozeman
New England College of Optometry
New York University
Ohio State University
Rice University
Rutgers University
Towson University
Tulane University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
University of Chicago
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
University of Delaware
University of Kansas
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of New Mexico
University of North Dakota
University of North Texas - Denton
University of Notre Dame
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
University of Oklahoma, Tulsa School of Community Medicine
University of Oregon
University of Rhode Island
University of South Florida
University of Utah
University of Washington - Seattle
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Wyoming
Vanderbilt University
Washington State University
Washington University in St. Louis
Harvard University
San Jose State University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Maryland
Wagner College
Western Carolina University
Harvard College
The full list includes public institutions, private liberal arts colleges, and tech-heavy research centers. Some have been targeted for minor issues—such as unclear foreign gift disclosures—while others are under investigation for hosting or tolerating student protests.
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