This Week in College Admissions – 11/21/25

This Week in College Admissions – 11/21/25

This week in college admissions, Johns Hopkins goes tuition-free for many families, several top schools have experienced cyberattacks, Trump officials continue plans to dismantle the Education Department, and most students feel their universities are preparing them to succeed in the job market.

Johns Hopkins will be tuition-free for families making up to $200,000 annually, and will cover tuition plus living expenses for most students whose families earn up to $100,000. The new financial aid initiatives will go into effect for current students in the spring semester of this year, and will apply to new students for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Several elite universities, including Princeton, Penn, and Columbia, have experienced security breaches as a result of cyberattacks this fall. Experts say university databases are especially vulnerable to hackers, given that they have large numbers of users who may not be taking security precautions. 

The Education Department is planning to move some of its grant programs to four other agencies, including the Labor Department and the State Department, as part of a broader effort to dismantle the agency. Most higher education grant programs will be handled by the Labor Department, while the State Department will administer Fulbright-Hays and other international research grants.

A recent survey shows that eight out of ten college students feel that their universities are preparing them for career success post-college. As far as areas for improvement, students want universities to prioritize helping them find and access paid internships, and connecting them with potential employers. Only 30% of students report interacting with career services offices at their institutions.