Research universities and college systems increased lobbying activity in 2025, directing millions of dollars to influence Congress on financial aid, immigration, AI policy, and accreditation rules. Reporting on the sector’s 2025 lobbying shows institutions pushed to shape sweeping federal proposals while defending international-student programs and research funding. Campus leaders say intensified advocacy reflects an aggressive federal agenda that intersects institutional finances, student pipelines and compliance burdens. Lobbying focused on securing discretionary funding, warding off regulatory constraints, and shaping the implementation of federal AI and financial-aid directives. For chief executives and board chairs, the spending signals an operational pivot: advocacy and legal strategy have become essential elements of institutional risk management as regulatory and political pressures mount.