College report: education, money and campus news December 5, 2025

Students and parents are simultaneously juggling rising study costs, legal uncertainty and new signals from the federal government. New graduation rate figures, a credit alert for higher education, questions about AI in admissions, and the launch of Trump Accounts all point to a changing environment for students and families.

Here’s a brief look at the key developments that will shape higher education and student finance this week before December 5, 2025.

🎓 Headlines at a glance

• The six-year college completion rate remains steady at 61.1%.
• Not-for-profit colleges face a bleak credit outlook for 2026 from S&P Global Ratings.
• Colleges are debating how to handle AI-written admissions essays as students increasingly turn to AI tools.
• Trump Accounts is launching with a $1,000 baby bonus and new details on how to claim it.

1. The six-year graduation rate remains 61.1%

New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that the six-year graduation rate for students who entered college in 2019 has remained stable 61.1%virtually unchanged from the previous year.

Full-time students continued to outperform part-time students, with a completion rate of 67.1% compared to 34.1% among part-time students. Students with dual enrollment achieved the strongest results, achieving scores above 70%.

This reinforces our previous reporting on why a third of students don’t complete college.

➡️ Influence: Families budgeting for four-year degrees must continue to plan for additional semesters, which remains common in most higher education sectors.

2. S&P Global Issues Negative outlook for US higher education

S&P Global Ratings released its fiscal year 2026 outlook for nonprofit colleges and universities, assigning the sector a negative designation for the coming year. Analysts cite slowing revenue growth, higher operating costs and enrollment volatility as key concerns. Institutions with limited reserves or a heavy dependence on tuition may face the most pressure.

➡️ Influence: Financial pressures on campuses could lead to program cuts, larger class sizes, reduced aid, or rising net prices. Families comparing colleges should pay close attention to financial stability indicators.

3. AI in college entrance exams: what students need to know

This is the biggest debate in college admissions right now: AI or no AI?

As more applicants experiment with AI tools to craft or refine their college essays, colleges are responding with new statements, honor code language, and internal debates about what constitutes “authentic work.”

Some settings allow limited AI assistance, while others move toward outright restrictions. Here’s what happened when we asked 24 college admissions officers about AI.

➡️ Influence: Families should review each college’s AI policy before applying. A misunderstanding of the AI ​​rules can delay assessment or jeopardize admission decisions.

4. Launching Trump Accounts with $1,000 Baby Bonus for Eligible Newborns

The White House officially launched
Trump accountsa new federal savings program for children under 8 years old. As part of the rollout, eligible newborns will receive a Federal contribution of $1,000automatically placed into a custodial investment account in a restricted U.S. stock index fund.

The program is supported by an additional private contribution from Michael Dell, expanding the initial funding pool and accelerating early adoption. The money can later be used for qualified education expenses, the first home purchase, or starting a small business.

Here’s how to claim your Trump account if you’re eligible.

➡️ Influence: To get your account, you must submit a tax form. Parents should verify their eligibility, understand the contribution rules and may want to add their own savings early to take advantage of the compounding amount.