Ohio Higher Education at a Crossroads: Federal Cuts, State Disinvestment, and the Path Forward
By Christian Collins
Ohio’s higher education system faces mounting pressure from federal funding cuts, long-term state disinvestment, restrictive state policies, and institutional mismanagement. Federal changes could make college less affordable, while Ohio continues to underinvest in public higher education. Senate Bill 1 further restricts DEI efforts, collective bargaining, and some academic programs, disproportionately affecting marginalized students and public-service career pathways. The brief calls for greater state investment, stronger basic-needs supports, protections against institutional misconduct, more meaningful student input, and full repeal of Senate Bill 1.