A United Educators analysis shows universities and affiliated hospitals paid hundreds of millions in settlements during 2025 across a range of legal exposures. The largest reported settlement totaled $750 million in a case tied to hundreds of sexual‑abuse claims connected to a former doctor at Columbia University and NewYork‑Presbyterian. Other notable payouts included Michigan State’s $29.7 million settlement over shooting‑related claims, antitrust resolutions involving Johns Hopkins and Caltech, and pandemic‑era tuition lawsuits with seven‑figure settlements. The report also highlights payouts over cybersecurity breaches and discrimination claims. Risk officers and general counsels say the wave of large payouts underscores rising litigation risk, increased insurer scrutiny, and the need for strengthened compliance, crisis response and reserve planning across both higher‑ed and health‑system partners.