More than 50 universities across the United States are under federal investigation for alleged racial discrimination in admissions and scholarship programs, as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The Department of Education announced the investigations on Friday, just one month after warning schools and colleges that they could lose federal funding if found to be using race-based preferences in student admissions, scholarships, or any part of student life.
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “We will not yield on this commitment.”
Colleges Under Investigation
Most of the new investigations focus on universities partnering with The PhD Project, a nonprofit that helps underrepresented students earn business degrees to diversify the corporate world. The Trump administration argues that the group’s race-based eligibility criteria amount to “race-exclusionary practices.”
Among the 45 universities facing scrutiny over their ties to The PhD Project are major institutions such as:
- Arizona State University
- Ohio State University
- Rutgers University
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Additionally, six other universities are being investigated for awarding “impermissible race-based scholarships,” while one institution is accused of running a racially segregated program. The seven schools under separate scrutiny include:
- Grand Valley State University
- Ithaca College
- New England College of Optometry
- University of Alabama
- University of Minnesota
- University of South Florida
- University of Tulsa School of Medicine
The Education Department has not disclosed which of these institutions is being investigated for segregation allegations.
Sweeping Expansion of Supreme Court Ruling
The investigations follow a February 14 memo from the Trump administration, which expanded a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that barred the use of race in college admissions. The Department of Education now interprets the ruling to prohibit race-based policies in any aspect of education, including K-12 schools and universities.
The administration’s new policy has drawn backlash and legal challenges, with the nation’s two largest teachers’ unions filing lawsuits against the Education Department, arguing that the memo is too vague and violates free speech rights.
As the investigations unfold, the future of diversity programs in American education remains uncertain, with universities, advocacy groups, and legal experts closely watching the administration’s next moves.
