Ivy League Schools on the Hunt? What Recent Data Breaches at Dartmouth, UPenn, and Columbia Mean for Students, Alumni, and Staff

Colleges and universities have quietly become one of the hottest targets for cybercriminals, and not just any colleges. 

Over the past year, Ivy League institutions like Dartmouth, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and Columbia University have experienced data breaches that exposed deeply sensitive personal information belonging to students, alumni, applicants, faculty, researchers, and staff.

These universities, known for hunting talent, prestige, and academic excellence, now find themselves hunting for answers, hunting down cybercriminals, or hunting for ways to fix their cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Now, schools that evaluate students’ credentials are suddenly being evaluated for their inadequate digital security.

Ivy League schools hold massive amounts of personal data, and when that data is compromised, the consequences can follow victims for the rest of their lives.

Below, we break down what’s happening at these institutions, why universities have become high-value cyber targets, how victims can protect themselves, and how Morgan & Morgan may be able to help.

Why Hackers Are Targeting Ivy League Schools

Elite universities are educational institutions and also data powerhouses. They store information on tens of thousands of people across generations, including:

• Social Security numbers
• Dates of birth
• Banking information
• Medical records (many have major hospital systems)
• Financial aid files
• Passport information and visas for international students
• Payroll and tax data
• Research records, including sensitive grant-funded programs
   

For cybercriminals, this combination is extremely attractive. Universities are also notoriously difficult to secure because of:

Open networks and thousands of access points

Universities encourage collaboration, research sharing, and network accessibility, features that clash with strict cybersecurity.

Aging IT infrastructure

Even wealthy schools struggle with legacy systems built decades ago and patched together over time.

Vast populations that change constantly

Students come and go every year, increasing the chance that credentials get lost, stolen, or reused.

High-value targets

Ivy League institutions carry prestige. A successful breach signals credibility among hacker groups.

Unfortunately, Dartmouth, UPenn, and Columbia are recent examples of how vulnerable even the nation’s most respected schools can be.

Recent Ivy League Data Breaches: What Happened?

While each school’s situation differs, the pattern is the same: cybercriminals are growing more sophisticated, and Ivy League institutions are struggling to keep pace.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth has faced multiple cybersecurity incidents in recent years, including data exposures linked to third-party vendors that process payroll, handle research collaborations, manage student financial data, or support IT systems.

In November 2025, Dartmouth confirmed a breach after the threat actor group Clop exploited a “zero-day” vulnerability in the widely used software Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS). The breach occurred between August 9 and August 12, 2025.

Sensitive data stolen reportedly includes: 

• Names
• Social Security numbers
• Financial-account information

Universities’ heavy reliance on outside vendors increases cyber risk. A breach at a vendor can expose thousands of people affiliated with the university, even if the university itself was not directly hacked.

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

In early November 2025, UPenn officially confirmed that hackers stole data in a cyberattack. The breach affected at least some systems related to alumni and donor-related data.

The university previously stated that claims of 1.2 million affected individuals were “mischaracterized” and may overstate the scope. The precise number of impacted records is still under investigation.

A class-action lawsuit has already been filed by at least one individual after allegedly receiving phishing-style messages and suspicious communications following the breach.

Columbia University

In 2025, Columbia disclosed that an unauthorized third party gained access to its external systems between May 16 and June 6, 2025. The breach affected up to 868,969 individuals (students, employees, applicants, past and present affiliates).

According to reports, personal data compromised may include: 

• Names
• Dates of birth
• Social Security numbers
• Contact information
• Academic and financial-aid data
• Other sensitive records.

The university reportedly began notifying impacted individuals and offered credit-monitoring or identity-theft protection services. 

The Real-World Impact on Victims

Data breaches at Ivy League schools aren’t just institutional embarrassments—they are deeply personal crises for victims whose information may end up on the dark web for years.

Here’s what victims commonly face:

Identity Theft

This is the most immediate and dangerous consequence. Criminals may use stolen information to:

• Open credit cards
• Take out loans
• Access bank accounts
• File fraudulent tax returns
• Commit medical identity theft

Because these schools hold detailed, verified information, the stolen data is extremely valuable to criminals.

Long-Term Financial Damage

Victims often suffer financial harm that persists for years after the initial breach. Identity thieves may resell the data multiple times, leading to ongoing fraud attempts.

Compromised Academic or Employment Records

Some cyberattacks leak:

• Transcripts
• Visa documentation
• Employment contracts
• Recommendation letters
• Research files

For students, faculty, international applicants, and researchers, this kind of exposure can cause reputational, academic, or even immigration-related harm.

Emotional and Psychological Stress

Victims often suffer from:

• Anxiety
• Disruption of daily life
• Fear of ongoing financial attacks
• The burden of constantly monitoring accounts

For many, the hardest part is knowing their personal information is permanently “out there.”

What Victims of Ivy League Data Breaches Should Do Immediately

If you were notified or even suspect that you were affected by a Dartmouth, UPenn, or Columbia breach, you should take action right away:

1. Read the breach notification carefully

Determine what data was exposed and which vendor or system was involved.

2. Enroll in any free credit monitoring being offered

But understand: monitoring is not the same as protection.

3. Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit

A freeze is the strongest protection and prevents new accounts from being opened.

4. Change all passwords associated with your university accounts

Especially if you reused passwords across platforms.

5. Monitor your banking, email, and medical accounts

Look for any suspicious activity.

6. Keep all letters, emails, and documents

This is important if you decide to pursue legal action.

Can You Sue an Ivy League School for a Data Breach?

In many cases, yes.

Universities have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect the sensitive information they collect from students, employees, and affiliates.

Victims may have grounds to pursue claims if a school or its vendor:

• Failed to maintain adequate cybersecurity
• Used outdated or unpatched systems
• Didn’t encrypt sensitive information
• Failed to monitor for suspicious activity
• Delayed notifying victims
• Ignored known vulnerabilities
   

These cases often result in:

• Compensation for time spent dealing with the breach
• Reimbursement for money lost due to fraud
• Credit-monitoring or identity-theft protection
• Potential damages for emotional distress
• Improvements in cybersecurity practices

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Any institution that stores your sensitive information owes you a duty of care to protect it. When lax security measures result in exposing your data to bad actors, then you deserve answers and even compensation.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve represented millions of people nationwide whose personal information was compromised because an institution failed to safeguard it, whether through a direct breach, a vendor compromise, or a ransomware attack.

Our firm can investigate the breach, determine your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Were you affected by a data breach at Dartmouth, UPenn, or Columbia?

If your personal information was exposed in any of these breaches, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. Students, alumni, applicants, faculty, hospital staff, and others may all be eligible for legal relief.

Morgan & Morgan is here to help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.