President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order that could significantly change how colleges and universities are accredited in the U.S. He has called this move his “secret weapon” for reshaping higher education.
The order focuses on three main goals: increasing intellectual diversity among faculty, improving how student success is measured, and making it easier for schools to switch accreditors or for new accrediting agencies to gain federal approval.
Accreditation is crucial because it determines whether colleges can access over $120 billion in federal financial aid each year. Critics of the current system argue that it protects underperforming schools, while supporters say it helps maintain academic quality.
The Trump administration has been critical of elite universities, freezing funding for some, like Harvard, over concerns about political bias and antisemitism. Some states, including Florida and North Carolina, have already passed laws to reduce the influence of long-standing accrediting agencies.
Legal challenges are expected, as opponents may argue the order oversteps executive authority or weakens educational standards.
