As part of his 2025 presidential campaign agenda, former President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order aimed at overhauling the U.S. college accreditation system, which he claims is contributing to “woke indoctrination,” rising tuition costs, and limited student choice.
The order, announced at a campaign event in Florida on April 5, calls for sweeping reforms to how colleges and universities are evaluated for federal funding — potentially disrupting decades of established higher education policy.
What the Executive Order Proposes
Trump’s executive order directs the U.S. Department of Education to:
- Review and revise federal recognition of accreditation agencies
- Reduce the power of traditional accrediting bodies over student loan eligibility
- Create new pathways for “non-traditional” institutions — including online and religious colleges — to receive federal aid
“The system is rigged in favor of corrupt academic elites who push left-wing ideology and punish free thought,” Trump said at the rally. “It’s time we open the gates to real education and real competition.”
Source: Politico, April 5, 2025
The Politics Behind It
The move is part of Trump’s broader campaign to restructure federal oversight of education if re-elected. It appeals to his conservative base, many of whom are critical of what they perceive as ideological overreach in higher education.
Trump allies say the plan could expand student access and encourage institutions to reduce costs and refocus on “practical” education. Critics, however, warn that dismantling accreditation standards could flood the system with low-quality programs and put students at financial and academic risk.
Implications for Colleges and Students
If implemented, the executive order could:
- Allow new accrediting agencies to certify colleges with alternative curricula
- Open the door for for-profit and religious institutions to receive more federal funding
- Weaken safeguards against student loan defaults and program abuse
Higher education leaders have expressed concern that the move politicizes an already complex system. “Accreditation is about quality, not politics,” said a spokesperson from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Student Loan and Debt Angle
Trump has also tied the reform to his stance on student debt, arguing that reducing regulatory red tape and increasing competition will drive down tuition and lessen the need for government forgiveness programs.
While President Biden has focused on debt relief and tuition-free community college, Trump’s plan offers a sharply different path — promoting market-based reforms and calling for the elimination of what he terms “federal academic cartels.”
Conclusion
Trump’s executive order targeting college accreditation is a significant shot at the traditional higher education establishment. As the 2025 campaign heats up, this move underscores his strategy to reshape federal education policy around choice, competition, and conservative values.
Whether it leads to meaningful reform or controversy will depend on how the Department of Education — and potentially, the courts — respond in the months ahead.