College leaders told Higher Ed Dive and other outlets that the first year of the Trump administration’s return has forced institutions to reassess risk, compliance and financial models after a wave of federal probes and policy changes. Presidents at the Council of Independent Colleges’ Presidents Institute warned about stepped‑up federal investigations, looming limits on graduate lending, and shifting international‑student rules. At the same time, analysis across the sector outlined six trends for 2026 — from increased enforcement actions to intensified workforce partnerships — signaling that colleges must adapt governance and revenue strategies quickly. The coverage captures both immediate enforcement actions and longer‑term regulatory friction that will shape budgets, program portfolios and international recruitment in 2026. (Higher Ed Dive; sector trend analysis.)