Finance
-
Laura Spitalniak/Higher Ed Dive
Portland State University budget plan would cut 52 jobs
The university’s American Association of University Professors chapter has blasted officials’ $35 million deficit projection and vowed to fight faculty layoffs.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 15, 2026 -
Getty Images
OpinionWhy colleges should embrace program depth over breadth
Cutting some offerings and shifting funds to high-impact programs can help expand access in turbulent financial times, two administrators contend.
By Bobby Pace and Jennifer Dale • May 14, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
TrendlineCampus Facilities
Physical security measures, renovation backlogs, sustainability and financing all come into play when the spotlight turns to college and university campuses.
By Higher Ed Dive staff -
Getty Images
Students, alumni sue to block Kentucky State University overhaul
Converting the historically Black university into a polytechnic institution violates Kentucky’s desegregation commitments, plaintiffs argued this week.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 13, 2026 -
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
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 Ben Unglesbee • May 12, 2026 -
pabradyphoto via Getty Images
Colorado State University turns to layoffs and other cuts to manage budget hole
Officials at the system’s Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses trimmed millions of dollars from their budgets as the state left higher education funding flat.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 11, 2026 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Moody’s lowers Columbia University’s outlook to negative
In its decision earlier this month, the credit rating agency cited federal pressure on the Ivy League institution and uncertainty around international enrollment.
By Laura Spitalniak • May 11, 2026 -
The image by User:Mattysc, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Bowie State University plans to cut nearly 80 jobs
The public Maryland institution is grappling with reduced state funding, a drop in enrollment and rising costs.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 8, 2026 -
The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Southern Oregon University plan would cut or consolidate 13 academic units
A proposal to address a financial crisis has garnered pushback from faculty and others who worry about the university’s mission.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 7, 2026 -
Retrieved from Montgomery County Auditor.
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 Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2026 -
Kent State University to lay off up to 45 staffers
The university is trying to head off a projected $18 million budget gap for fiscal 2027, though the president says it is in a relatively strong financial position.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of University of Connecticut
Q&AUConn’s new CFO talks higher ed mission, March Madness bump
Anthony Rini discussed what sports means to him, his views on higher education and how he plans to approach his new role.
By Maura Webber Sadovi • May 6, 2026 -
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
Education Department finalizes rule tightening federal student lending
The agency kept a contested definition of “professional” student that excludes fields like graduate nursing and physical therapy from higher loan caps.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026 -
The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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 Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026 -
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 Ben Unglesbee • April 28, 2026 -
The image by COGpio is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
East Carolina University plans to cut 44 academic programs
The university launched a review of its offerings last fall along with a push to shed $25 million from its budget as it wrestles with enrollment pressure.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 27, 2026 -
Getty Images
Week in review: Michigan State, University of Michigan face proposed huge cuts
We’re rounding up recent stories, from University of Arizona being let off the hook for discharged student loans to several colleges landing major gifts.
By Natalie Schwartz • April 27, 2026 -
The image by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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 Ben Unglesbee • April 24, 2026 -
Getty Images
Iowa regents approve 10 program cuts at 2 universities
The board greenlit plans to end undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa after a mandated review.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2026 -
Getty Images
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 -
Getty Images
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 -
Getty Images
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Getty Images
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
