President Trump’s Compact for Academic Excellence imposes policy demands on nine elite universities, linking adherence to race-blind admissions and international enrollment caps with privileged access to federal funds. University leaders and experts warn that limits on international students and tuition freezes may financially strain institutions amid an already precarious budget climate. The compact’s potential affects public and private colleges differently, complicating recruitment strategies and enrollment management. The higher education community broadly critiques the compact’s coercive nature and uncertain impact on institutional autonomy and financial health.