In a dramatic turn of events, over 9,000 jobs were eliminated across universities in 2025, largely influenced by President Trump's actions regarding federal funding. A recent report from Inside Higher Education has revealed that the higher education sector is facing a significant employment crisis.
According to the report published on Tuesday, December marked a loss of 300 jobs within this sector, contributing to a staggering total of more than 9,000 positions lost throughout the year due to layoffs and voluntary buyouts. The report suggests that this number might actually be underestimated, as it does not account for many unreported personnel changes.
Several factors have been identified as contributing to this job loss. The report points to President Trump’s restrictions on federal research funding, a focus on decreasing the enrollment of international students, and disputes with universities over alleged civil rights violations. Additionally, the rising operational costs and an unpredictable federal policy landscape have created a challenging environment for educational institutions.
"While not all of the job cuts in December can be directly linked to Trump, some appear to be closely associated. For instance, DePaul University saw a drop in tuition revenue due to losing hundreds of international students, which in turn led to layoffs," the report highlighted.
Former President Trump has actively sought to withhold billions in federal funding from prestigious institutions like Harvard, citing claims of antisemitism. Moreover, in December, his administration announced plans to appeal a judicial ruling that mandated the release of $2.7 billion in federal research funds frozen from Harvard University.
The situation at DePaul University is particularly telling; it cut 114 staff positions last month after experiencing a significant decline in international student enrollment. Similarly, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is planning to eliminate 51 jobs, while Western Wyoming Community College has made cuts to 33 positions and restructured 30 others. At the University of Kansas, nearly three dozen faculty members opted for buyouts offered by the administration.
In Tennessee, Christian Brothers University has reduced its faculty by 16 positions. The Oklahoma Board of Regents for Higher Education has voted to eliminate 41 degree programs and halt 21 more at the University of Oklahoma. Meanwhile, the College of Idaho has axed three majors while introducing six new programs, resulting in the layoff of 10 employees, including five professors.
Boston University faces a significant budget shortfall of $30 million and has responded by laying off 120 workers and closing another 120 vacant positions. San Francisco State University is anticipating that between 60 and 75 faculty members will accept buyout offers they are extending, according to the report.
Bobby King, the director of communications for San Francisco State University, stated, "Changes in demographics and shifts in student demand for academic programs compel higher education institutions nationwide to reallocate resources to best meet the needs of students. These decisions are difficult yet essential for aligning faculty and staff with growing academic fields while scaling back investment in areas of decreased student interest."
Nicole Neily, founder and president of Defending Education, commented to Fox News Digital, "Higher education has been excessively bloated for decades, so the outcry over job cuts in this sector seems somewhat exaggerated. There are numerous factors leading to a decrease in college attendance, such as soaring costs and doubts about the quality of education being provided, compounded by the current demographic decline in birth rates."
Neily further emphasized that many colleges and universities may need to merge or shut down in the future, presenting an opportunity for leaders to rethink what type of institution they wish to be and whether there is still demand for their offerings.
White House representative Liz Huston echoed these sentiments, stating, "The Administration is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s pledge to eliminate wasteful taxpayer spending in American higher education."
Fox News Digital reached out to various institutions, including DePaul University, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Martin University, Western Wyoming Community College, the University of Kansas, Christian Brothers University, the University of Oklahoma, the College of Idaho, and Boston University, seeking their comments on this issue.
