The expanded gainful employment regulations take effect in 2027 and require bachelor's programs to out-earn typical high school graduates, while master's programs must out-earn bachelor's degree holders. High-risk fields include theology, fine arts, and graphic design. For example, a 2021 analysis of the USC social work master's program found that half of the graduates earned $52,000 or less two years after finishing their degrees, despite holding a median debt of $112,000.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Trump Cuts Federal Loans for Programs Failing Earnings Test 2 of 3 Years
US Politics22 days ago
A new Department of Education rule identifies low-earning college majors for the removal of financial assistance based on the performance of alumni. The administration will strip federal loan eligibility from specific programs if their graduates fail an earnings test in two of three years, applying the penalty school by school rather than banning degrees nationwide. The first programs lose access to funding in the 2028-29 academic year.
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