Closures & Mergers
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University of Michigan poised to buy campus of downsized Lutheran college
Nearly two years after Concordia University Ann Arbor moved to fold most of its programs, it’s looking to sell real estate for $60 million.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 20, 2026 -
The image by Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Soka University of America moves to acquire Middlebury College’s international studies institute
The private nonprofits are negotiating the purchase of the California campus and rights to some graduate programs.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 12, 2026 -
Retrieved from Montgomery County Auditor.
For-profit design college in Ohio to shutter
The Modern College of Design pivoted suddenly to online operations on Monday as it announced its intention to close for good next month.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2026 -
The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Southern Oregon University risks closure without deep cuts, consultants say
Despite receiving $15 million in emergency state funding, SOU must still cut faculty, staff and programs to shore up its finances, a Deloitte analysis says.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026 -
Saint Augustine’s University files for bankruptcy following accreditation woes
The beleaguered institution plans to pivot to certificates and apprenticeship programs after initiating a Chapter 11 to get its finances in order.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 28, 2026 -
The image by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Anna Maria College in Massachusetts to close
The Catholic institution, which had recently seen promising enrollment signs, was flagged by state regulators as a risk following mounting financial pressure.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 24, 2026 -
Getty Images
Florida for-profit flight college shuts down suddenly
The Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology’s main campus was in the midst of appealing its accreditation loss.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2026 -
The image by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Anna Maria College flagged as closure risk by state
Massachusetts’ higher education department said it can’t confirm the institution “has sufficient resources to be able to sustain operations at current levels.”
By Ben Unglesbee • April 16, 2026 -
Walla Walla Community College board votes to close satellite campus
Even as they prepare to shutter the Clarkston, Washington, location, officials are exploring alternative funding to keep a physical presence in the area.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 16, 2026 -
Getty Images
Hampshire College to close after years-long turnaround effort comes up short
The private institution in Massachusetts faced a heavy debt burden, persistent deficits, sputtering enrollment, possible accreditation loss and other challenges.
By Ben Unglesbee • Updated April 15, 2026 -
Getty Images
Oregon lawmakers move to review public colleges, explore restructuring
They passed a bill that would mandate a study of the state’s institutions to recommend ways to put them on better financial footing.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 6, 2026 -
The image by Warren LeMay is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Washington University to acquire St. Louis College of Pharmacy
The college will become WashU’s 10th academic school and “strengthen interdisciplinary connections” across health fields, it said.
By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 26, 2026 -
Retrieved from Labouré College of Healthcare on February 13, 2026
Labouré College to close in August
After the Massachusetts institution ceases operations this summer, the nearby Curry College plans to absorb its nursing programs.
By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 13, 2026 -
The image by Lauren Pippin is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Lourdes University in Ohio closing at end of academic year
Like many small Catholic institutions, it has wrestled with dwindling enrollment and rising financial pressures.
By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 13, 2026 -
Getty Images
Providence Christian College to close at end of academic year
The leader of the California institution blamed the closure on factors like enrollment troubles, accreditation woes and rising costs.
By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 11, 2026 -
Getty Images
Hampshire College faces closure risk if it can’t refinance debt, audit says
The private Massachusetts institution is in financial distress once again after coming back from the brink of closure in 2019.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 16, 2026 -
The image by HaeB is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
California College of the Arts to close, Vanderbilt to take over campus
The expanding Tennessee university plans to keep alive aspects of the 120-year-old arts college’s legacy.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 14, 2026 -
Getty Images
Martin University will close after short-lived ‘pause’
The university, Indiana's only predominantly Black institution, has faced significant financial and operational challenges in recent years.
By Laura Spitalniak • Jan. 6, 2026 -
Getty Images
What 3 credit ratings agencies forecast for higher ed in 2026
Fitch Ratings, S&P Global and Moody's Ratings all predicted a tough year ahead, pointing to deteriorating financial conditions and heightened uncertainty.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 5, 2026 -
Pomona College considers acquiring Claremont Graduate University
The pair initiated confidential talks in late spring and entered exclusive talks in December to negotiate a definite agreement over the coming months.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 22, 2025 -
Courtesy of Coursera Press Kit
Coursera to acquire Udemy to create $2.5B MOOC giant
The companies pointed to their complementary offerings and demand for AI skills training.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 17, 2025 -
The image by Enunnally55 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
DeSantis wants to give USF’s Sarasota campus to New College of Florida
The Florida governor's budget proposal would expand the liberal arts college, which he has sought to make a conservative blueprint for higher education.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 12, 2025 -
Alamy
Martin University to ‘pause’ operations at the end of the month
The board of the private Indianapolis university is working to find a path toward economic viability, it said in a Tuesday press release.
By Laura Spitalniak • Dec. 10, 2025 -
Getty Images
S&P: Negative outlook for nonprofit colleges in 2026
The credit ratings agency on Tuesday cited federal policy shifts, rising costs and increased competition over students.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 3, 2025 -
Courtesy of Eastern Gateway Community College
Audit slams shuttered Eastern Gateway Community College for ‘derelict accounting’
A state-issued report questioned millions in spending and detailed voluminous recordkeeping and process issues in the troubled Ohio college’s final years.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 3, 2025
