Finance

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    University of Maryland lays off 84 employees amid budget pressures

    The public institution is facing federal and state funding cuts in addition to higher energy costs and slowing endowment returns.

    By • June 5, 2026
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    Kent State, Colorado State and other universities turn to budget cuts

    Institutions from Maryland to Oregon announced plans last month to trim spending, and sometimes eliminate jobs, as they navigate or stave off deficits.

    By • June 5, 2026
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    Trendline

    Campus 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
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    Hampshire College may close earlier than planned

    The private Massachusetts institution’s revenue projections are coming up short, meaning it might not be able to teach its final term planned for the fall.

    By • June 1, 2026
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    Tuition discount rate reaches 57% for private nonprofits, NACUBO says

    Price cuts are getting even deeper for first-year undergraduates, while net tuition revenue has fallen, according to the organization.

    By • June 1, 2026
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    Western Michigan University launches buyout program to ease budget

    The public institution is offering early retirements to tenured faculty, as long as enough sign up to save at least $5 million. 

    By • May 29, 2026
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    Florida budget deal would cut extra funding to top public universities

    Lawmakers also agreed to transfer the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, a conservative favorite.

    By • May 27, 2026
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    SUNY Fredonia cutting 14 degrees, 7 minors

    The public institution is still trying to close a multimillion-dollar deficit after years of enrollment declines.

    By • May 26, 2026
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    Tracker

    Here’s a list of the biggest donations to colleges in 2026 so far

    The University of Tennessee, Knoxville landed a $130 million gift to bolster its business school and faculty recruitment. 

    Updated 7 hours ago
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    Baldwin Wallace University winds down 16 degree programs, 19 minors

    The Ohio private nonprofit’s president said he wants to invest the savings in areas with high student and workforce demand. 

    By • May 20, 2026
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    University of Michigan poised to buy campus of downsized Lutheran college

    Nearly two years after Concordia University Ann Arbor moved to fold most of its programs, it’s looking to sell real estate for $60 million. 

    By • May 20, 2026
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    University of Oregon freezes hiring as it aims to cut $65M from budget

    The public institution’s leaders are projecting a decline in nonresident enrollment for the next academic year, which will bring a fiscal hit. 

    By • May 18, 2026
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    Q&A

    Do enrollment management strategies lead to high debt for poor families?

    The author of a New America report argues efforts to maximize enrollment have left many lower-income families relying heavily on Parent PLUS loans.

    By • May 18, 2026
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    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 • May 15, 2026
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    Opinion

    Why 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
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    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 • May 13, 2026
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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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    How universities are saving water

    College facility teams are responding to drought warnings by upgrading their institutions’ water management systems and irrigation practices, reports show.

    By Joe Burns • May 12, 2026
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    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 • May 11, 2026
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    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 • May 11, 2026
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    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 • May 8, 2026
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    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 • May 7, 2026
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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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    Q&A

    UConn’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
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    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 • May 6, 2026
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    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 • April 30, 2026