Closures and Mergers

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    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
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    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 • May 12, 2026
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    Retrieved from Montgomery County Auditor.
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    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 • May 6, 2026
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    The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    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 • April 30, 2026
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    The image by SAUFalconsWiki is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    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 • April 28, 2026
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    The image by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    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 • April 24, 2026
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    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 • April 23, 2026
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    The image by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    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 • April 16, 2026
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    The image by Robert Ashworth is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    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 • April 16, 2026
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    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 • Updated April 15, 2026
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    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 • March 6, 2026
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    The image by Warren LeMay is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    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 • Feb. 26, 2026
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    Retrieved from Labouré College of Healthcare on February 13, 2026
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    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 • Feb. 13, 2026
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    The image by Lauren Pippin is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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 • Feb. 13, 2026
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    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 • Feb. 11, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 16, 2026
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    The image by HaeB is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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 • Jan. 14, 2026
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    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 • Jan. 6, 2026
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    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 • Jan. 5, 2026
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    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 • Dec. 22, 2025
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    Courtesy of Coursera Press Kit
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    Coursera to acquire Udemy to create $2.5B MOOC giant

    The companies pointed to their complementary offerings and demand for AI skills training.

    By • Dec. 17, 2025
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    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 • Dec. 12, 2025
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    Alamy
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    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 • Dec. 10, 2025
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    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 • Dec. 3, 2025
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    Courtesy of Eastern Gateway Community College
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    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 • Dec. 3, 2025
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    Unkown. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Column // College Closure Files

    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 • Dec. 1, 2025