The 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

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

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

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

Pittsburgh Technical College to close

The private nonprofit’s accreditor warned that the college was at risk of accreditation loss and “imminent closure” less than a week ago.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 11, 2024

University of the Arts’ sudden closure draws state, city reviews

The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office is reviewing the abrupt shutdown, while Philadelphia’s city council is planning a hearing over the matter.

By Laura Spitalniak • June 11, 2024

Pittsburgh Technical in ‘imminent’ danger of closing, MSCHE says

The notice came just days after Triangle Tech, a for-profit trade college in the area, announced it would shut down.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 10, 2024

Inside the final, chaotic days of Goddard College

Founded as a radical experiment in education, the Vermont institution closed after years of mounting tensions between administration and the rank and file.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 7, 2024

University of the Arts’ accreditor looks to correct the record on closure timeline

News of the institution’s pending shutdown first came in an accreditation notice. But the accreditor says it wasn’t supposed to happen that way.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 6, 2024

University of the Arts president resigns days after abrupt closure announcement

Meanwhile, Temple University, a public institution, is eyeing a possible merger to save the private nonprofit's legacy.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 5, 2024

University of the Arts announces abrupt closure, citing unexpected cash shortfall and expenses

The 148-year-old Philadelphia college will close June 7 after years of enrollment declines. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 3, 2024

Marymount Manhattan College to merge with Northeastern University

Northeastern has been growing steadily in recent years at its flagship Boston campus and through mergers with financially struggling peers.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 29, 2024

Delaware arts college to shutter, citing falling enrollment and FAFSA challenges

After 27 years, the Delaware College of Art and Design is winding down amid a shrinking student base and the financial woes that go with it.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 28, 2024

Northland College to cut 9 faculty spots

Returning from the brink of closure, the Wisconsin-based private institution is downsizing and revamping its programs.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 24, 2024

Should bondholders step in when colleges are financially struggling?

Bondholders may be able to highlight warning signs to institutions, argues Ricardo Azziz, a college consolidation expert.

By Ricardo Azziz • May 21, 2024

Eastern Gateway Community College to close Oct. 31

The beleaguered Ohio institution faced financial challenges in recent years, spurred by a legal battle with the U.S. Department of Education.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 17, 2024

Keystone College in ‘danger of imminent closure,’ accreditor says

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is giving the Pennsylvania institution until Aug. 1 to demonstrate compliance with its standards.

By Laura Spitalniak • May 3, 2024

After brush with closure, Northland College unveils plan to downsize

The liberal arts institution is cutting $7 million from its budget and refocusing around eight in-demand majors.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 2, 2024

University of Saint Katherine shuts down after less than 15 years

The California institution faced a “steep” cash shortfall and “extraordinary inflation,” according to a campus message shared on social media.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2024

Wells College to close at the end of the spring term

The New York private nonprofit cited financial distress, demographic challenges and "an overall negative sentiment towards higher education.”

By Laura Spitalniak • April 29, 2024

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

Waiting 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

‘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

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