How the ‘immortal’ Limestone University collapsed

The South Carolina college weathered tough financial times over the course of its life. In April, it made its last play to stay open — but it wasn’t enough.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 1, 2025

Sterling College in Vermont to close

The environmental-focused institution, which has under 40 students, said that closing now was the responsible move to support their transitions.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 14, 2025

How college leaders can own the narrative about a major restructuring

Officials can either actively and diligently manage the narrative about a closure or merger or others will craft it for them. 

By Ricardo Azziz • Nov. 6, 2025

Trinity Christian College to close at the end of the academic year

The institution considered slashing programs and finding a partner but ultimately decided there was “no sustainable path forward,” its president said. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 5, 2025

Elon University AAUP demands larger faculty role in Queens University combination

“Faculty should be included in the decision of both institutions to move forward with the merger,” the group said.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 17, 2025

New Jersey City University and Kean University sign official deal to merge

Under the deal, New Jersey City University would become “Kean Jersey City,” marking a new chapter after years of financial distress.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 3, 2025

Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte announce intent to merge

The private North Carolina institutions said the combination would help meet the educational and workforce needs of Charlotte, the state's biggest city.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 17, 2025

UW-Stevens Point partners with community college to shore up struggling branch

Leaders hope partnering with Northcentral Technical College will create new opportunities and cost savings for the public university’s Wausau location. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 12, 2025

More Catholic colleges are merging amid demographic pressures. What does it really take?

Mergers can help struggling colleges stay afloat, but uniting different cultures and operations is rarely straightforward, experts say.

By Danielle McLean • July 29, 2025

The King’s College closes after 2 years without classes

New York's education department gave the Christian institution until Tuesday to present a plan for resuming operations — a deadline it could not meet.

By Laura Spitalniak • July 14, 2025

Bacone College shut down after 145 years. What went wrong?

The Oklahoma institution had shaky finances for years. And some insiders have accused it of straying from its mission of serving Native American students. 

By Ben Unglesbee • July 14, 2025

Siena Heights University to close after coming academic year

The 105-year-old Catholic nonprofit in Michigan concluded it was “no longer feasible” to continue operating.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 1, 2025

How can college officials know if they’re ready to lead ‘Big Scary Change’?

They should consider if they hold views counter to successfully leading an institution through a merger or acquisition, one consolidation expert says.

By Ricardo Azziz • June 30, 2025

For-profit performing arts college in New York to close

The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts said it had exhausted “every possible alternative” prior to the decision to wind down.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 5, 2025

Cornish College of the Arts opens under Seattle University banner

A majority of Cornish's original employees and nongraduating students will return to its Washington campus in fall 2025, the university said Tuesday.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 4, 2025

University of Idaho abandons plan to acquire University of Phoenix

Faced with opposition from the beginning, the state university and for-profit college ended negotiations.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 4, 2025

‘Finally’: Keystone College completes merger with nonprofit

After a recent closure scare, the institution is continuing operations under the nonprofit Washington Institute for Education and Research. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 3, 2025

Penn State University’s board greenlights plan to close 7 campuses

A 25-8 vote sets in motion the plan to pare down the university’s commonwealth campuses to 13 after spring 2027.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2025

New Jersey City University takes key step to become part of Kean University

The two public institutions signed a letter of intent Thursday outlining a plan that would transform NJCU into “Kean Jersey City.”

By Ben Unglesbee • May 16, 2025

‘Gross mismanagement’: Bacone College sent into liquidation

After filing for bankruptcy last year, a judge this week ordered its case to be converted into Chapter 7 after alarms raised by the U.S. trustee’s office.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 15, 2025

Penn State University proposes closing 7 commonwealth campuses

In a report to trustees, university officials cited enrollment declines at the colleges, as well as their financial deficits and maintenance backlogs.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 14, 2025

Limestone University to close after fundraising blitz falls short

The Christian institution in South Carolina raised over $2 million in two weeks but fell short of the estimated $6 million it needed to avoid shuttering.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2025

St. Andrews University announces abrupt closure

The North Carolina liberal arts institution’s president said that “financial sustainability is no longer attainable.”

By Ben Unglesbee • April 28, 2025

Limestone University may have a ‘lifeline’ to avert closure

The Christian institution's board said “a possible funding source has surfaced" after warning last week it may have to shutter or go online.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2025

Limestone University needs $6M to avoid shutdown or going online-only

The South Carolina nonprofit has been drawing down its endowment while it grapples with lower enrollment and higher costs.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 17, 2025