Why the College Crisis Is Also a Jobs Crisis

Massachusetts colleges and universities are facing serious trouble. Federal funding cuts, new rules on student visas, and rising concerns about the value of a college degree are all putting pressure on higher education at the same time. Leaders warn that if nothing changes, the state could lose the skilled workers it needs to keep its economy strong.

For years, Massachusetts has been one of the best states in the country for research and development, which means finding new knowledge and turning it into useful products and ideas. For every 1,000 people in the state, 52 work in that research world — the highest rate in the whole country. Many of those workers went to college right here in Massachusetts, so keeping colleges healthy is key to keeping those jobs filled.

The federal government under President Trump has cut hundreds of millions of dollars in research grants. These grants pay for important studies at hospitals, universities, and research labs. While courts have blocked some cuts and restored some funding, data shows that National Institutes of Health funding in Massachusetts is still down about 23 percent compared to recent years.

The Trump administration also changed the rules for international students. For a long time, students from other countries could stay in the United States while finishing their studies without needing special approval from the government. Now, the government wants to limit how long they can stay, and courts are currently fighting over whether this new rule is legal.

New rules about student loans are also causing concern. A law called the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' would put limits on how much graduate students can borrow to pay for school. A federal judge blocked part of this law in June, but if borrowing becomes harder or more expensive, fewer people may choose to go to college or graduate school.

Governor Maura Healey has a plan to help. She asked the state legislature to approve $400 million for a program called the DRIVE Initiative, which would support research at hospitals, universities, and public colleges. However, lawmakers cut the request in half and have been slow to act, and the bill has not yet passed.

Other states are not waiting around. Texas voters approved $3 billion for brain disease research last November, and both New York and California are working on similar plans. If Massachusetts falls behind, it may become harder to attract and keep talented workers in the state.

Young people are already leaving Massachusetts. U.S. Census data shows that the biggest group moving away is adults between the ages of 25 and 34. Experts say that creating more job opportunities and protecting research funding would help convince those young workers to stay — but action needs to happen soon.