Closures and Mergers
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For-profit performing arts college in New York to close
The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts said it had exhausted “every possible alternative” prior to the decision to wind down.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 5, 2025 -
Cornish College of the Arts opens under Seattle University banner
A majority of Cornish's original employees and nongraduating students will return to its Washington campus in fall 2025, the university said Tuesday.
By Laura Spitalniak • June 4, 2025 -
University of Idaho abandons plan to acquire University of Phoenix
Faced with opposition from the beginning, the state university and for-profit college ended negotiations.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 4, 2025 -
Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
‘Finally’: Keystone College completes merger with nonprofit
After a recent closure scare, the institution is continuing operations under the nonprofit Washington Institute for Education and Research.
By Ben Unglesbee • June 3, 2025 -
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Penn State University’s board greenlights plan to close 7 campuses
A 25-8 vote sets in motion the plan to pare down the university’s commonwealth campuses to 13 after spring 2027.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2025 -
New Jersey City University takes key step to become part of Kean University
The two public institutions signed a letter of intent Thursday outlining a plan that would transform NJCU into “Kean Jersey City.”
By Ben Unglesbee • May 16, 2025 -
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‘Gross mismanagement’: Bacone College sent into liquidation
After filing for bankruptcy last year, a judge this week ordered its case to be converted into Chapter 7 after alarms raised by the U.S. trustee’s office.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 15, 2025 -
Penn State University proposes closing 7 commonwealth campuses
In a report to trustees, university officials cited enrollment declines at the colleges, as well as their financial deficits and maintenance backlogs.
By Laura Spitalniak • May 14, 2025 -
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Limestone University to close after fundraising blitz falls short
The Christian institution in South Carolina raised over $2 million in two weeks but fell short of the estimated $6 million it needed to avoid shuttering.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2025 -
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St. Andrews University announces abrupt closure
The North Carolina liberal arts institution’s president said that “financial sustainability is no longer attainable” and it will close May 5.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 28, 2025 -
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Limestone University may have a ‘lifeline’ to avert closure
The Christian institution's board said “a possible funding source has surfaced" after warning last week it may have to shutter or go online.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2025 -
The image by Stephen Matthew Milligan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Limestone University needs $6M to avoid shutdown or going online-only
The South Carolina nonprofit has been drawing down its endowment while it grapples with lower enrollment and higher costs.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 17, 2025 -
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Georgia Southern and East Georgia State merger gets green light from system board
The move, part of a nearly 15-year effort to streamline the University System of Georgia, would bring USG’s institution count to 25.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 17, 2025 -
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East Georgia State to merge into Georgia Southern under Perdue’s plan
The latest proposed consolidation is part of an ongoing initiative to simplify and save administrative expense while maintaining options for students.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 10, 2025 -
Rosemont College in Pennsylvania to combine with Villanova University
The Catholic Pennsylvania institution will become “Villanova University, Rosemont Campus” after a transition period under a merger agreement.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 1, 2025 -
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University of New Orleans should rejoin LSU system, state board says
The public institution has been deteriorating financially since Hurricane Katrina hit the city two decades ago.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 28, 2025 -
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Deep Dive‘You can’t create 18-year-olds’: What can colleges do amid demographic upheaval?
Raising retention and attendance rates, and accommodating diverse student bodies, could take on new importance as the traditional-age pipeline weakens.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 27, 2025 -
Djflem. (2019). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
New Jersey City University pursues merger with Kean University
The public institution has made several moves to claw back from a financial emergency nearly three years ago.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 6, 2025 -
Courtesy of Findlay Bluffton Future
University of Findlay calls off merger with Bluffton University
The larger of the two Christian institutions iced the plan to combine, citing time, expense and the complexity of maintaining separate athletics programs.
By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 28, 2025 -
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Penn State will close some campuses amid enrollment decline, president says
Neeli Bendapudi said the university will review a dozen of its commonwealth campuses to determine which will stay open and which will close.
By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 26, 2025 -
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Northland College to close after turnaround falls short
Despite recent restructuring efforts, the Wisconsin nonprofit’s board chair said it couldn’t weather “economic and demographic storms” hitting the sector.
By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 20, 2025 -
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Column // Merger WatchHow can college leaders navigate mergers and closures in 2025?
A consolidation expert urges officials to face the facts, explore their strategic options and be willing to accept external help.
By Ricardo Azziz • Feb. 20, 2025 -
Ben Unglesbee/Higher Ed Dive
University of the Arts unloads 2 buildings for $10.3M in auctions
The nonprofit Curtis Institute of Music beat out a local real estate developer and Temple University for one of the shuttered arts college’s iconic buildings.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 16, 2025 -
Ben Unglesbee/Higher Ed Dive
Pennsylvania AG argues Temple should win bid for UArts building
Attorney General Michelle Henry said Temple University's bid should take priority over a $6.5 million offer from a Philadelphia real estate developer.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 15, 2025 -
Ben Unglesbee/Higher Ed Dive
University of the Arts lands $8.3M in bids for 2 buildings
A Philadelphia real estate player and area theater nonprofit are among the first buyers to step up for the closed arts college’s iconic properties.
By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 10, 2025
