While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

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Degrees of financial distress: How visa cuts; high tuition crush colleges

NPR | By Elissa Nadworny ,

Scott Simon

Published August 22, 2026 at 6:43 AM CDT

We take a look at how a range of concerns, from the cost of a college degree to visas for foreign students, affecting colleges and universities at the start of this academic year.

Elissa Nadworny

Elissa Nadworny is an NPR Correspondent covering higher education. She previously covered reproductive rights and abortion.

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First.