IBL News | New York
As the higher ed industry navigated rising operating costs, federal funding freezes, and caps on student loan programs, fifteen nonprofit institutions, including seven campuses from the Pennsylvania State Commonwealth, announced closures in 2025, according to Inside Higher Ed.
In 2024, the number of closures was sixteen, and in 2023, fourteen.
Of the other eight colleges that announced closures, five were religiously affiliated.
Enrollment at colleges that announced closures ranged from nearly 2,000 students to fewer than 100. Most had seen enrollment tanking for years while operating costs continued to rise, creating untenable deficits.
Next year is also likely to be challenging for higher education; three credit rating agencies issued unfavorable outlooks for 2026.
Here are colleges that announced closures this year:
• Northland College, a small private college
• St. Andrews University, a private North Carolina campus, is a branch of Florida-based Webber International University
• Limestone University, a Christian university in South Carolina
• Bacone College, a private institution in rural Oklahoma
• Seven Penn State Commonwealth Campuses in Dubois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York.
• Siena Heights University, a Catholic institution in Michigan
• The King’s College, an Evangelical college in New York City
• Trinity Christian College, a private college outside of Chicago
• Sterling College, a tiny work college in Vermont
The above list does not include Martin University, which paused operations earlier this month and appears on the brink of closure.
As some colleges closed, others merged with or were absorbed by larger institutions. Inside Higher Ed tracked seven college mergers and acquisitions announced this year, down from 12 in 2024.
• Villanova University will absorb a larger institution, Rosemont College
• The University System Board of Regents approved a merger between two of its members in April, an arrangement that will see East Georgia become part of the larger Georgia Southern.
• Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences announced a merger in April.
• Kean University and New Jersey City University, two public universities in New Jersey, struck an agreement to begin merger negotiations.
• Morningside University will absorb St. Luke’s College in Iowa.
• Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte, in North Carolina, announced they plan to merge.
• Pacific University and Willamette University announced earlier this month that they are exploring a merger, which would create the largest private institution in Oregon, the University of the Northwest.