Closures and Mergers
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For-profit North Coast College plans to shutter in August
The Ohio institution’s move to close comes around the same time that Mountain State College, another proprietary institution, shut down permanently.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Findlay Bluffton Future
HLC 2024Waiting too long can doom a college merger, experts say
The best window for consolidation is usually gone by the time colleges are deeply distressed, panelists at Higher Learning Commission’s conference said.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 19, 2024 -
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HLC 2024‘We are not hospice’: The race to get faster in predicting college shutdowns
The Higher Learning Commission has been studying institutional closures under its purview to understand the signs of distress, officials with the accreditor said at its annual conference.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 18, 2024 -
"Sinclair Community College, 3rd Street and Perry Street, Dayton, OH" by Warren LeMay is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Ohio’s Sinclair Community College to shutter 2 locations
Although the two sites together enrolled around 5,500 students at their peak, they hosted just one class between them this semester.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 11, 2024 -
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Goddard College in Vermont to close
With insolvency looming, the institution opted to shutter permanently and struck a teach-out partnership with Prescott College in Arizona.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 10, 2024 -
"Northland College Sign" by Tschellnc is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Northland College misses fundraising target, but will stay open — for now
The Wisconsin institution declared financial exigency to revamp its model and budget in a bid for survival.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 5, 2024 -
"Northland College Sign" by Tschellnc is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Northland College raises $1M on its last-ditch $12M goal
The college is trying to avoid closure with the fundraising blitz while also exploring partnerships and other financial options.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 2, 2024 -
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Healthcare-focused Oak Point University to close abruptly in April
The private nonprofit has faced dramatic enrollment declines and accreditation challenges in recent years.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 29, 2024 -
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Birmingham-Southern to shutter May 31
The beleaguered Alabama college said it lost its last shot at staying open when the state's treasurer denied it a $30 million bridge loan.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Findlay Bluffton Future
Bluffton U to merge with University of Findlay
The Christian institutions in Ohio expect the process to be complete by next fall, pending regulatory approval, according to a Monday announcement.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 21, 2024 -
"Fontbonne University" by LittleT889 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fontbonne University to close in 2025
The president of the Roman Catholic institution pointed to more than 15 years of enrollment declines and a looming demographic cliff.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 12, 2024 -
"Northland College Sign" by Tschellnc is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Northland College needs $12M to stay open, officials say
The environmentally focused Wisconsin institution lacks the resources to operate beyond the current academic year without an infusion of funding.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 12, 2024 -
"Denworth Hall, Northpoint Bible College, Haverhill, Massachusetts" by Chonak is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Massachusetts ramps up financial oversight for 2 faith-based colleges
The state's higher education department said it couldn't confirm that Boston Baptist College and Northpoint Bible College will be able to stay open.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 6, 2024 -
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Legal threat over University of Phoenix deal gains momentum
An Idaho legislative committee advanced a resolution that would allow the Legislature's leaders to file a lawsuit over the transaction.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 4, 2024 -
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Notre Dame College to close after spring semester
The Roman Catholic college cited declining enrollment and fewer traditional-aged students as factors in its decision to close.
By Lilah Burke • March 1, 2024 -
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Column // Merger WatchHow can governors oversee successful higher education mergers?
Several factors influence the outcomes of consolidation efforts, including whether public systems have healthy relationships with state leaders.
By Ricardo Azziz • Feb. 29, 2024 -
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Idaho lawmakers could put University of Phoenix deal at ‘grave risk,’ official says
A member of the state’s education board told legislators that taking legal action — as threatened in a pending resolution — could imperil the transaction.
By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 29, 2024 -
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Bay Path University to acquire Cambridge College
The deal will bring together two Massachusetts-based institutions focused on career education and adult learners.
By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 28, 2024 -
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Jamestown Business College ceases enrollment of new students, plans to close
The New York for-profit blamed "the college’s size and the expanding government regulations" for its impending closure.
By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 2, 2024 -
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ColumnHow many people actually need a four-year diploma?
Recent analysis on workforce trends suggests colleges with enrollment declines should not expect demand to surge, argues Ricardo Azziz.
By Ricardo Azziz • Jan. 30, 2024 -
The image by Difference engine is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to end degree programs
The 218-year-old institution has struggled with declining enrollment and rising costs, trends that are affecting small colleges across the country.
By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 12, 2024 -
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OpinionColleges that can’t survive owe their employees dignified closures
The library director of a small Pennsylvania college lays out what leaders should consider when their institutions are struggling to stay open.
By Mari Flynn • Dec. 11, 2023 -
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Column // Merger WatchLabor Department’s overtime proposal should spur more colleges to consider a merger
The proposed rule, which would raise the threshold for overtime pay eligibility to around $55,000, could financially stress many higher education institutions.
By Ricardo Azziz • Updated Dec. 4, 2023 -
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The College of Saint Rose will close at the end of the academic year
The Roman Catholic institution in New York said it suffered from years of declining enrollment and pandemic-induced financial turbulence.
By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 1, 2023 -
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Jessup University to acquire fellow Christian college Multnomah University
Multnomah said it has faced declining enrollment and financial challenges, making it impossible to operate independently.
By Laura Spitalniak • Nov. 9, 2023
