Finance
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Michigan State, University of Michigan face over 60% cut under state funding bill
The two universities would each lose over $200 million under a House proposal one college official described as “shortsighted and harmful.”
By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2026 -
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 -
University of Arizona off the hook for $72M in discharged Ashford loans
The U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration decided against seeking to potentially recoup millions from the public flagship.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 20, 2026 -
Sponsored by Rize Education
The subsidy trap: Are small colleges chasing the wrong markets?
Are the markets small colleges are chasing actually more reliable than their core residential model?
April 20, 2026 -
Retrieved from Clarke University on April 17, 2026
$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 -
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 -
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 -
The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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 -
Deep Dive
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 -
The image by BrettRowls is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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 -
Retrieved from University of Providence on March 18, 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 -
The image by M.O. Stevens is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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