$5M gift to wipe out Clarke University’s debt

The private Catholic institution in Iowa previously announced it would eliminate 13 academic programs and reduce its workforce.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 17, 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

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

Syracuse University offers early retirement to 175 faculty

The buyouts come amid a plan to cut scores of low-enrollment academic programs to refocus the private nonprofit’s offerings. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 15, 2026

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

Donations to colleges hold steady amid higher ed disruption

The growth reflects the “continued trust that donors place in educational institutions,” the Council for Advancement and Support of Education said.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 14, 2026

Renovation backlog for college facilities hits new highs

The dollar value of deferred capital projects grew by 8% last year, according to the latest state of higher ed facilities report from Gordian.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 10, 2026

Southern Oregon University gets $15M lifeline from the state

The public institution was facing a looming cash crunch. Now it needs a plan to balance its budget and operate in the future without increased state help.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 8, 2026

What can financial metrics actually tell college leaders about their programs?

Measuring the costs and revenues of academic offerings isn't straightforward, but those accounting decisions have big implications in an era of austerity.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 2, 2026

Walla Walla Community College eyes 43 layoffs, closing a branch campus

The Washington institution may declare a financial emergency as it seeks $4.3 million in savings for a budget under strain from rising costs.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 27, 2026

Kentucky State could get dramatic academic overhaul under state proposal

A bill in the state’s General Assembly would declare financial exigency at the university and transform it into a polytechnic institution.

By Natalie Schwartz • March 27, 2026

Hampshire College risks losing accreditation amid financial troubles

The New England Commission of Higher Education asked the institution to show why it should not be placed on probation or lose accreditation.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 25, 2026

Average net tuition down when adjusted for inflation, Brookings data shows

The findings stand "in stark contrast to the public’s perception,” report author Phillip Levine said.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 25, 2026

Lane Community College could cut 20 positions amid looming $4M deficit

Leaders at the Oregon institution have also proposed eliminating its health information management and criminal justice programs.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 23, 2026

Higher ed organizations press Congress to quickly fill Pell funding gaps

Over 60 groups signed a letter to top lawmakers raising concerns about a multi-billion dollar shortfall in fiscal 2026 and beyond for the key student aid program.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 19, 2026

University of Providence could cut programs, employees as it shores up budget

The Montana institution declared financial exigency in December as it braces for an annual $8 million budget gap once it loses critical fiscal support.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 18, 2026

The New School turns to layoffs to help cut another 15% of employees

The private university recently announced a 7% workforce reduction through voluntary buyouts, but leaders say more cuts are needed to rein in deficits.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 18, 2026

Oregon State hikes tuition over 6% for new students amid budget gap

Trustees at the public university approved the increase Friday in the face of a $14 million budget shortfall.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 16, 2026

Portland Community College faculty and staff unions go on strike

The public institution went remote on Wednesday as unions issued a work-stoppage to win stronger pay increases for employees.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 11, 2026

Portland State University could close 3 departments, trim over a dozen others

The public institution is grappling with a $35 million budget hole, but some faculty criticized the plan for cuts as “hasty and unimaginative.”

By Ben Unglesbee • March 11, 2026

University of Wyoming must review programs and staffing for possible cuts

The public institution came out of a cut-hungry legislative session with its funding intact, but it now has a state mandate to look for reductions.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 9, 2026

Families as the next advancement frontier

How strategic engagement — and smarter data tracking — are reshaping parent and family giving.

By CampusESP • March 9, 2026

Public colleges could face pressure amid state budget woes, Fitch says

Republican-led federal cuts and a shaky economy could set up competition for funds — and historically, higher education gets cut first in tough times.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 6, 2026

The New School to shrink workforce by 7% — with more cuts to come

The private New York institution is facing deficits of tens of millions of dollars and declining enrollment.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2026

Lawmakers mull $15M in emergency funding for Southern Oregon University

The proposal comes as the public institution wrestles with dwindling cash reserves and a potentially dangerous shortfall by next year.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2026