Campus Files: Scandals, Secrets & Crimes at American Universities artwork

Documentary · Audacy

Campus Files: Scandals, Secrets & Crimes at American Universities

by Audacy

College holds a mythic place in American culture, hailed as the best four years of your life and revered as a beacon of integrity and excellence. But behind the polished campus tours and glossy brochures lies a far more complicated reality. Each episode of Campus Files uncovers a new story, exploring everything from rigged admissions to sports scandals, free speech, and hazing. Consider this your unofficial campus tour. Do you have tips or story ideas? Send us an email: campusfilespod@gmail.com‬. For additional stories on scandals that have rocked American institutions, check out seasons 1-3 of Gangster Capitalism in this feed: Season 1: The College Admissions Scandal Season 2: The NRA Season 3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University Campus Files is an Audacy original podcast.

Chart trend

Position in the Documentary chart (US), last 90 days.

#4
all-time peak
39
days in the top 10 since Jan 2025

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Gangster Capitalism S3: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University | EP1: Quid Pro Quo

A never-before told story details Jerry and Becki Falwell’s behavior at the height of their power. And a favor comes with big enough strings attached to change the course

May 26 2021
39 min

Introducing Season 3 Gangster Capitalism: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University

The C13Originals Peabody nominated series is back for Season Three: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University. A sex scandal rocks one of the world’s largest Christian uni

May 24 2021
4 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | Bonus Episode: Rigging The Election

Following the last episode of Season 2, the creators of Gangster Capitalism received a tip about a secret scheme to keep Wayne LaPierre in power.  

Jul 22 2020
35 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP8: Down to the Studs

A former Ackerman employee explains how expenses were hidden. Leaked audio of Wayne LaPierre lets people know the real damage under his watch. Where will the NRA go from

May 6 2020
41 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP7: Enough is Enough

Board members are receiving money directly from the NRA. A fundraiser and a major donor decide they’ve seen enough.

Apr 29 2020
39 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP6: Family Business

Could this be more than business? Could it be personal? A deeper look at the NRA attorney at the center of everything. 

Apr 22 2020
42 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP5: A Hostile Takeover

The NRA has a new program to help lift them out of financial despair, and a fresh face to run it. But both turn out to be disasters.

Apr 15 2020
39 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP4: The Big Game

A dream job slowly becomes something very different for a former NRA fundraiser, as ethical questions come to light.

Apr 8 2020
37 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP3: Man on the White Horse

A financial surplus becomes a deficit once Wayne LaPierre is elevated to EVP, and he is questioned about the relationship with Ackerman McQueen, more than 20 years ago. A

Apr 1 2020
35 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP2: A Clear Crisis

Lines are drawn, as Wayne LaPierre’s supremacy is tested, and the rift spills out into public.

Mar 25 2020
40 min

Gangster Capitalism S2: The NRA | EP1: Let Loose the Dogs of War

A show of strength and unity kicks off the 2019 Annual Convention, but behind the scenes, the NRA is nearing a civil war.

Mar 25 2020
36 min

Introducing Season 2 Gangster Capitalism : The NRA

From C13 Originals, Gangster Capitalism, Season 2 explores The National Rifle Association and the allegations swirling around the nonprofit organization. Andrew Jenks hos

Mar 24 2020
4 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I Bonus Episode: The Price to Be Paid

With sentences starting to be handed out to those who’ve plead guilty in this scandal, some cases are coming to a close. Others who’ve plead not guilty may have an uphill

Oct 9 2019
44 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I Ep 6: Watershed Moment

An argument is made that just because we are repelled by the indicted parents’ behavior, that doesn’t make it criminal. In fact, one opinion is that the parents may face

Jun 18 2019
36 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I EP 5: Where You Start is Where You Finish

A Singer parent negotiates a deal for her son to have the ACT taken for him, without him even being in the same state, and a college admissions insider reveals the a la c

Jun 11 2019
35 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I EP 4: Ricky

A best friend, a mentee, and a former coworker provide an intimate account of Rick Singer’s transition from the boy determined to transform himself, to the coach who refu

Jun 4 2019
40 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I EP 3: The Dominoes Fall

Federal agents make an arrest for securities fraud, and get much more than expected. They are offered information that leads to a man they’d never heard of - Rick Singer,

May 28 2019
28 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I EP 2: The Bumper Sticker Mentality

Rick Singer’s “Side Door” has another, more expensive option that clients like actor, Lori Loughlin opt for. The scam? $500,000 to get your kids accepted to college as Di

May 21 2019
38 min

Gangster Capitalism S1: The College Admissions Scandal I EP 1: The Side Door

Through transcriptions of wiretapped conversations between Rick Singer, Felicity Huffman, and others, Episode 1 brings to life just how dirty these schemes were. We also

May 14 2019
35 min

Introducing Season 1 Gangster Capitalism: The College Admissions Scandal

With exclusive interviews and thought-provoking discussion, Andrew Jenks examines the people involved and the larger debate around higher education in America.

Apr 18 2019
4 min

Chart positions

Where Campus Files: Scandals, Secrets & Crimes at American Universities ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 10, 2026).

#45 ▲ 14 Documentary US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I love this podcast. It’s smart, concise, well-presented and informative.

AuntieBabz · Jun 2026

Not sure what any negative review is referring to. I learn something new every single week. It’s well researched and highly informative. Love wednesdays

Lola_23764 · Jun 2025

First of all, I’d like to state how much I enjoy this podcast and the way in which it sheds light on some very important issues in our country regarding universities. I loved the episode “The Machine” but it left me wanting more and wondering how many other universities have a similar system in place that influences their student government and how this trickles into politics on a larger scale. John named few who were out into power by the machine or went on to become government officials on a larger scale. I think this episode demonstrates exactly what is already occurring in our country on a national level and has for a very long time. Great work.

podcastappreciator · Jun 2025

American universities are funny — world class scholarship and world class scams. And lots of the kind of corruption that Americans do so well. This podcast deals with the scams. The presentation and background research are great, but I’m knocking off a star because of the annoying and intrusive ads.

Bilas Peles · May 2025

I initially enjoyed this podcast because it provided valuable insight into the scams and systemic issues within higher education. Over time, however, the content began to lean heavily toward a liberal perspective. As a conservative listener, I found that lens distracting from the otherwise strong reporting and factual discussion. I respect that every creator brings their own point of view, and I don’t mind engaging with opinions I don’t always agree with. That said, the balance between factual information and political commentary seemed to shift, with opinion starting to outweigh substance. A more even-handed approach would make this podcast more accessible to a wider audience while allowing its important investigative work to stand on its own.

Kristen Dawson · Sep 2025

I like the show but the multiple ads for sports betting means that I will stop following. IMO the proliferation of sports betting is unconscionable. Lives are being ruined while the shareholders are enriching themselves on the backs of the gullible.

Sometimes Poster · Apr 2026

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