Department of Education Opens Investigations Into 45 Universities Over Race Based Admissions, List

The Department of Education has launched investigations into 45 universities over alleged race-based preferences in admissions and scholarships, citing potential violations of federal anti-discrimination laws. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in higher education.

Key Facts:

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating 45 universities for alleged race-based policies.
The probe targets schools tied to “The Ph.D. Project,” which limits participation based on race.
Additional investigations focus on six universities offering race-based scholarships and one facilitating race-based student segregation.
The Department warned institutions in February to end race-based education programs following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Schools found in violation of Title VI could face loss of federal funding.

The Rest of The Story

The federal government is cracking down on universities accused of racial discrimination in admissions and funding practices.

The Department of Education’s investigations stem from allegations that several institutions have partnered with race-exclusive programs, violating federal law.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized that civil rights enforcement is shifting to ensure all students are treated equally, stating, “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin.”

This effort follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which declared affirmative action unconstitutional.

In February, the Department of Education formally warned institutions receiving federal funds that race-based preferences must be eliminated.

The schools under investigation span a range of prestigious institutions, including Yale, Duke, MIT, and the University of Michigan.

Those found guilty could face severe consequences, including loss of federal funding.

Professors discuss whether their universities are really shutting down DEI (the answer is no): pic.twitter.com/Qcef9zoceM

— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) March 14, 2025

Schools Under Investigation

The universities under investigation for alleged race-based admissions policies include Arizona State University – Main Campus, Boise State University, Cal Poly Humboldt, California State University – San Bernardino, Carnegie Mellon University, Clemson University, Cornell University, Duke University, Emory University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Montana State University-Bozeman, New York University (NYU), Rice University, Rutgers University, The Ohio State University – Main Campus, Towson University, Tulane University, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, University of California-Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Cincinnati – Main Campus, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, University of Delaware, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of New Mexico – Main Campus, University of North Dakota – Main Campus, University of North Texas – Denton, University of Notre Dame, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, University of Oregon, University of Rhode Island, University of Utah, University of Washington-Seattle, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wyoming, Vanderbilt University, Washington State University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Yale University.

Additionally, the Department of Education is investigating Grand Valley State University, Ithaca College, New England College of Optometry, University of Alabama, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, University of South Florida, and the University of Tulsa School of Medicine for allegedly offering race-based scholarships or facilitating race-based segregation.

Commentary

For years, universities have justified racial preferences under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

However, the Supreme Court made it clear last year that such policies violate the Constitution.

If any of these schools continued race-based admissions or scholarships after the ruling, they should be held accountable.

The Biden administration has pushed DEI initiatives aggressively, but this latest crackdown shows that even under its leadership, the government cannot ignore blatant violations of the law.

The Department of Education has a duty to ensure all students, regardless of race, are treated fairly under federal guidelines.

Discrimination—no matter the target—is unacceptable.

If these schools had been using race-based policies to exclude any other group, the backlash would be immediate.

Universities that break the law should face serious consequences, including losing taxpayer-funded support.

For decades, progressive academics have framed America as a systemically racist country.

Yet, many of these same institutions engaged in discriminatory practices themselves, pushing policies that marginalized white and Asian students.

That era is ending, and schools that refuse to comply should face the full force of the law.

The Department of Education’s investigations are a step in the right direction.

If the findings confirm racial discrimination, these schools must be held accountable to restore true merit-based admissions and scholarships.

The Bottom Line

The Department of Education is investigating 45 universities over race-based admissions and scholarships, following the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ban.

Institutions found in violation of federal law could lose funding.

Schools that engaged in racial discrimination should be held accountable, just as they would if any other group had been excluded.