The Colleges that Shape Congress

It’s a striking moment to examine the relationship between Congress and college, as higher ed becomes a political punching bag. America’s most influential colleges have faced increasing scrutiny in the wake of student protests over the Israel-Hamas war, with three presidents of Ivy League universities resigning their posts under pressure from Capitol Hill. And colleges are contributing to a political rift: Voters’ choices at the ballot box diverge along degree lines, with the college-educated more likely to vote blue. Democrats see their strong relationship with the college vote as a liability in an electorate increasingly souring on the value of a degree. Meanwhile, many of the Republican party’s strongest higher-ed critics themselves boast Ivy League degrees. This comprehensive review conducted by The Chronicle — using data from the official congressional directory and campaign websites — examines the institutions that influence the nation’s future leaders.