Key Takeaways
• On June 4, 2025, the U.S. Education Department said Columbia University fails accreditation standards.
• About 50% of Columbia’s 36,000 students rely on federal aid, at risk if accreditation lost.
• Trump administration stopped $400 million in federal research grants due to campus antisemitism issues.
Columbia University Faces Accreditation Crisis After Education Department Review
Columbia University, one of the most well-known Ivy League schools in the United States 🇺🇸, is facing a serious challenge to its future. On June 4, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education officially told the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) that Columbia no longer appears to meet the required accreditation standards. This warning could put the university’s federal funding at risk and has sent shockwaves through the academic world.
The Department’s move follows months of tension between the Trump administration and Columbia University. The main reason for this action is the university’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus, which the Department says led to discrimination against Jewish students. The situation is developing quickly, and the outcome will affect thousands of students, staff, and the future of higher education in the United States 🇺🇸.
Why Did the Education Department Take Action?
The Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, said Columbia University broke anti-discrimination laws, specifically Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Title VI is a law that bans discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program that receives federal money. The Department claims that after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, Columbia’s leaders did not do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students.
Secretary McMahon stated, “Columbia’s leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus.” This means the Department believes the university did not take the problem seriously or act quickly enough to protect students.
Because of these findings, the Department sent a formal notice to MSCHE, which is the group responsible for making sure Columbia meets accreditation standards. Accreditation is a process that checks if a school provides a good education and follows the law. Without it, a university cannot receive federal money, and its degrees may not be recognized by other schools or employers.
What Happens Next in the Accreditation Process?
The Department’s notification triggers a strict review process under federal rules. According to 34 C.F.R. § 602.20(a), MSCHE must now:
- Notify Columbia University that it is not following the rules
- Create a plan to help Columbia fix the problems
- Take action if Columbia does not solve the issues within a certain time
Columbia is already in the middle of its regular accreditation review for 2024-2025. The last time MSCHE renewed Columbia’s accreditation was in 2016, and the university has been accredited by MSCHE since 1921. This long history makes the current crisis even more serious.
What Is at Stake for Columbia University?
The risks for Columbia are huge. If the university loses its accreditation, the effects would be felt immediately by students, staff, and the wider academic community.
Federal Financial Aid
About 50% of Columbia’s 36,000 students depend on federal financial aid, such as student loans and Pell Grants. If the university loses accreditation, it cannot offer these forms of help. Many students would not be able to afford to stay at Columbia, and new students might decide not to apply.
Value of Degrees
A degree from Columbia University is highly respected around the world. But if the school is not accredited, its degrees could lose much of their value. Employers, especially in fields like finance, may not recognize the degrees. Credits earned at Columbia might also not transfer to other universities, making it hard for students to continue their education elsewhere.
Research Funding
The Trump administration has already canceled $400 million in federal research grants to Columbia, saying the university failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. This loss of funding has forced Columbia to cut about 180 staff positions, which is about 20% of the people paid by those grants.
Staffing and Jobs
The loss of research money has already led to job cuts, and more could follow if the university loses accreditation. This puts hundreds of staff and faculty at risk and could hurt the quality of education and research at Columbia.
How Is Columbia University Responding?
Acting President Claire Shipman admitted in May 2025 that the university is facing a very tough time. She said, “This is a deeply challenging time across all higher education, and we are attempting to navigate through tremendous ambiguity with precision, which will be imperfect at times.”
To try to fix the problems, Columbia has made several changes:
- Updated protest, safety, and security policies to better protect students
- Reorganized the Middle Eastern studies department to address concerns about bias
- Adopted a new definition of antisemitism for the whole campus
These steps are meant to show the Education Department and MSCHE that Columbia is serious about solving the issues and meeting accreditation standards.
The Political Background
This crisis is happening at a time when the Trump administration is focusing on changing how higher education works in the United States 🇺🇸. On April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order called “Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education.” This order tells accrediting agencies like MSCHE to change how they work and what they focus on.
President Trump has also commented on how different universities are handling campus protests. He said Columbia “wants to get to the bottom of the problem” and “they’ve acted very well,” while criticizing other schools like Harvard. These comments show that the administration is paying close attention to how universities deal with sensitive issues.
How Does the Accreditation Review Work?
Columbia’s situation is even more complicated because it is already going through its regular accreditation review for 2024-2025. This process usually includes:
- Assurance Review: The university must show it meets all the rules and standards.
- Federal Compliance Review: Checks if the school follows federal laws, including anti-discrimination laws.
- Student Opinion Survey: Students are asked about their experiences and opinions.
- On-Site Peer Review: A team visits the campus to see how things work in real life.
Now, MSCHE must also look closely at how Columbia is following Title VI, the law that bans discrimination. This makes the review even more detailed and stressful for the university.
For more information about how accreditation works and why it matters, you can visit the U.S. Department of Education’s official accreditation page.
What Does This Mean for Students and Staff?
The uncertainty around Columbia’s accreditation could have immediate effects, even before any final decision is made.
Enrollment
Some students, especially those from other countries, may decide not to attend Columbia because they are worried about safety and the value of their degree. If fewer students enroll, the university could lose even more money.
Financial Stability
Acting President Shipman has warned that more steps may be needed to “preserve financial flexibility.” This could mean more job cuts, fewer programs, or other cost-saving measures.
Reputation
Columbia’s reputation as a top university is at risk. Even if the university keeps its accreditation, the public fight with the Education Department could make some people question the value of a Columbia degree.
What Happens Next?
The process is still ongoing. Both Columbia University and MSCHE are expected to respond soon to the Education Department’s notice. The university will have a chance to explain what it has done to fix the problems and show that it now meets all the rules.
Education policy experts say that while the threat is real, Columbia will not lose its federal funding right away. The university has time to make changes and prove it can meet the required standards. However, the situation is serious, and the outcome will affect not just Columbia but also how other universities are judged in the future.
How Does This Affect International Students?
International students make up a large part of Columbia’s student body. Many choose Columbia because of its strong reputation and the value of its degrees. If the university loses accreditation, international students could face several problems:
- Visa Issues: Many student visas require the school to be accredited. If Columbia loses accreditation, students could lose their visa status and have to leave the United States 🇺🇸.
- Degree Recognition: Degrees from an unaccredited school may not be accepted by employers or other universities, both in the United States 🇺🇸 and abroad.
- Financial Loss: International students often pay high tuition fees. If they have to leave or their degree loses value, they could lose a lot of money.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the uncertainty around Columbia’s accreditation could lead to a drop in international applications and make it harder for current students to plan their futures.
What Should Students and Families Do Now?
If you are a current or future Columbia University student, here are some steps you can take:
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from Columbia University, MSCHE, and the Department of Education.
- Talk to Advisors: Speak with academic and immigration advisors to understand your options if the situation changes.
- Consider Alternatives: If you are worried about the value of your degree, look into transfer options or backup plans.
- Check Financial Aid: Make sure you understand how your financial aid could be affected if the university loses accreditation.
What Are the Broader Implications for Higher Education?
This case could set a new standard for how the federal government uses accreditation to enforce rules at universities. If Columbia is punished for not meeting accreditation standards related to anti-discrimination laws, other universities may face similar reviews in the future.
Some experts worry that using accreditation as a tool for political or legal fights could make universities more cautious and less willing to allow free speech or protests on campus. Others believe it is important to hold universities accountable for protecting all students.
Conclusion: What’s at Stake for Columbia and Beyond?
Columbia University’s accreditation crisis is about more than just one school. It raises big questions about how universities should handle protests, protect students, and meet government rules. The outcome will affect thousands of students, staff, and families, as well as the future of higher education in the United States 🇺🇸.
The next few months will be critical. Columbia must show that it can fix the problems and meet all accreditation standards. MSCHE and the Department of Education will decide if those changes are enough. Whatever happens, this case will be watched closely by other universities, students, and policymakers across the country.
For those affected, the best advice is to stay informed, ask questions, and be ready to act if the situation changes. The story of Columbia University’s accreditation crisis is still being written, and its impact will be felt for years to come.
Learn Today
Accreditation → Official recognition ensuring a university meets quality and federal law standards for education.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education → Agency that accredits universities in certain U.S. regions, ensuring educational quality compliance.
Title VI → Section of the Civil Rights Act banning discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs.
Federal Financial Aid → Government-provided grants or loans that help students pay for college expenses.
Executive Order → A directive from the U.S. President that manages operations of the federal government.
This Article in a Nutshell
Columbia University faces an unprecedented accreditation crisis after the Education Department accused it of failing anti-discrimination laws, risking federal aid and degree value amid political tensions and protests over campus safety.
— By VisaVerge.com
