The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against affirmative action in higher education, striking down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina.

In a ruling divided along ideological lines, the high court found that the two universities discriminated against white and Asian American applicants by using race-conscious admissions policies that benefited applicants from underrepresented backgrounds.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority in the case. He was joined by the five other conservative justices. The three liberals dissented.