Closures and Mergers
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The image by SilentMatt Psychedelic is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Gannon University and Ursuline College eye a combination
The two private Catholic institutions signed a letter of intent that would bring the Ohio-based Ursuline under the umbrella of Gannon, in Pennsylvania.
By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 17, 2024 -
Ben Unglesbee/Higher Ed Dive
University of the Arts files for bankruptcy
The Philadelphia institution’s Chapter 7 comes after it abruptly closed this summer and its merger talks with Temple University fell through.
By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 16, 2024 -
The image by Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Knoxville College takes a step toward accreditation nearly 30 years in the making
The historically Black institution, which lost accreditation in 1997, filed an application with Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 30, 2024 -
Ben Unglesbee/Higher Ed Dive
University of the Arts faces full repayment demand from bondholders
A bank notified the university just two weeks after its closure that the full amount was due. Meanwhile, employees are seeking lost wages.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 29, 2024 -
Ben Unglesbee/Higher Ed Dive
Temple nixes potential deal with University of the Arts
Although officials said they aren’t moving forward with a transaction, they noted Temple has enrolled over 330 former and prospective UArts students.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 29, 2024 -
Longhornsguy07. (2011). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
UT San Antonio to merge with academic health center to create ‘powerhouse university’
System officials cast the move as a way to expand academic offerings and strengthen research funding.
By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 23, 2024 -
EvgeniiAnd/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Number of colleges dipped 1.7% in 2023-24 academic year
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows a decline in higher education institutions eligible for Title IV federal student aid.
By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Keystone College
Keystone College agrees to merge with D.C.-based nonprofit
The agreement with the Washington Institute for Education and Research comes several months after a similar deal with the organization fell through.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 19, 2024 -
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
Column // Merger WatchWhy is the higher education sector so fragile in the US?
The answer lies in how colleges and universities first developed across the country, according to one consolidation expert.
By Ricardo Azziz • Aug. 19, 2024 -
Over 30 tenured faculty face layoffs under University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee plan
The institution’s chancellor recommended closing a general studies college that supports two-year degrees.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 15, 2024 -
Lackawanna and Peirce colleges to merge
Leaders of the two Pennsylvania-based nonprofit institutions say their programs, missions and markets are complementary.
By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 14, 2024 -
"Warde Hall, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, Iowa" by Bobak Ha'Eri is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University to combine
The two Catholic colleges expect the deal will help them share resources, though they will continue to have distinct campuses and academic programs.
By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 2, 2024 -
PASSHE chancellor to leave post in October
Dan Greenstein oversaw a major consolidation of six of the Pennsylvania system’s universities that aimed to put them on better financial footing.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 24, 2024 -
Win McNamee via Getty Images
Sen. Durbin calls on Education Department to protect students at 2 shuttering for-profits
Northwestern College and American Academy of Art College both announced closures in July in the senator’s home state of Illinois.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 22, 2024 -
VisualArtStudio via Getty Images
Florida for-profit City College to close
The healthcare career-focused institution’s decision to shutter after 40 years reportedly came as a shock to students.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 19, 2024 -
"University of the Arts Dorrance Hamilton Hall" by Beyond My Ken is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Union files new charges of unfair labor practices against University of the Arts
The Philadelphia college failed to properly bargain with both laid-off employees and those who were kept to help wind down operations, the union said.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 17, 2024 -
meanmachine77 via Getty Images
For-profit Northwestern College closes abruptly
The 122-year-old Illinois institution had faced scrutiny from its accreditor, including over concerns about its financial health.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 8, 2024 -
VioletaStoimenova/iStock via Getty Images
Q&AHow to navigate a potential merger — from college leaders who have been there
Two former presidents who shepherded their institutions through acquisitions share their insights into what makes a good strategic partnership.
By Laura Spitalniak • July 8, 2024 -
Inna Reznik/iStock via Getty Images
Clarks Summit University to close
The Pennsylvania college furloughed all employees last month amid significant financial troubles and declining enrollment.
By Laura Spitalniak • July 2, 2024 -
Permission granted by Wells College
Deep Dive‘We can’t cut anymore’: Can colleges recover from the gut-punch of inflation?
Cost growth in higher ed is easing after big spikes in recent years. But institutions remain under steep financial pressure.
By Ben Unglesbee • July 1, 2024 -
Drazen_ via Getty Images
Column // Merger WatchThe FAFSA debacle: Another nail in the coffin for vulnerable colleges
Issues with the form’s rollout have made identifying merger partners for many small colleges an even greater urgency, one consolidation expert argues.
By Ricardo Azziz • June 28, 2024 -
Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
Keystone College cuts employees and programs to help save $3.5M
The private Pennsylvania institution was recently labeled a closure risk by its accreditor. Since then, it has announced a potential strategic partnership.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 27, 2024 -
Retrieved from Eastern Nazarene College on June 26, 2024
Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts to close
The private Christian institution said it has faced intensifying financial challenges and has exhausted its options to continue operating.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2024 -
Concordia University Ann Arbor to cut most programs
Facing a $9 million deficit, the private Lutheran institution is keeping just nine in-person and seven online programs.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 25, 2024 -
(2019). Retrieved from Warren LeMay // Flickr.
Union Institute & University to close
The private nonprofit faced an onslaught of financial and legal challenges over the past year, including a heavy fine from the U.S. Department of Education.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 20, 2024
