8 US schools shut down in 2024, 2 extra getting ready to closure in 2025: Here is why
Regardless of regular enrollment figures of roughly 16 million college students, numerous US schools are struggling to remain afloat. In 2024 alone, eight establishments closed, with two extra getting ready to closure in 2025. This development, pushed by shifting demographics, monetary instability, and evolving perceptions of upper schooling, highlights a brewing disaster in academia.
The Federal Reserve Financial institution of Philadelphia earlier in its report had said that as many as 80 schools might shut by 2029. On the coronary heart of this concern lies the “demographic cliff,” a projected sharp decline within the variety of college-age college students. The worst-case prediction forecasts a staggering 142% improve in annual faculty closures.
The Class of 2024: Eight Faculties That Closed
Eight universities throughout the US closed down in 2024 owing to numerous components. Right here’s the listing for you.
College of St. Katherine, San Marcos, California
After the spring 2024 semester, the College of St. Katherine closed its doorways. The president cited a steep shortfall in working money and filed for chapter, marking the tip for this California-based establishment.
Wells Faculty, Aurora, New York
Wells Faculty, with over 150 years of historical past, ceased operations on June 30, 2024. Declining enrollment, inflation, and monetary challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic led to its closure.
The Faculty of St. Rose, Albany, New York
The Faculty of St. Rose closed after its closing semester in spring 2024. Enrollment on the faculty had halved since 2010, compounded by a shrinking pool of highschool graduates within the Northeast.
Birmingham-Southern Faculty, Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham-Southern Faculty introduced its closure in early 2024 because of failed makes an attempt to safe extra funding. The establishment formally shut down on Might 31.
St. John’s College, Staten Island, New York
St. John’s College closed its Staten Island campus in April 2024. College students have been provided transfers to the Queens campus, together with scholarships to ease the transition.
Hodges College, Fort Myers, Florida
Hodges College, based in 1990, closed in August 2024. The personal, nonprofit establishment cited declining enrollment and monetary troubles as the principle causes.
Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln, Illinois
Lincoln Christian College concluded its tutorial journey in Might 2024. Regardless of focusing solely on ministry levels and discontinuing athletics, the varsity couldn’t overcome its monetary challenges or its declining pupil base.
Magdalen Faculty of the Liberal Arts, Warner, New Hampshire
This small liberal arts faculty, with solely about 60 college students, closed in Might 2024 because of declining enrollment.
Past Enrollment: Why Faculties Are Struggling
The pandemic dealt a big blow to smaller schools, lots of which by no means recovered. Declining start charges level to continued enrollment challenges, whereas monetary instability and inflation additional pressure operations. College students more and more favor bigger, extra established establishments or various schooling choices, comparable to commerce colleges.
Closures loom in 2025
The variety of college-age college students declines, establishments face mounting stress to adapt or face closure. Smaller colleges, significantly these with restricted sources, are particularly weak. Listed here are two schools within the US which are set to shut doorways in 2025.
Jap Nazarene Faculty, Quincy, Massachusetts
This personal Christian faculty plans to shut on the finish of the 2024–2025 tutorial 12 months, citing monetary headwinds as its major problem.
Fontbonne College, Clayton, Missouri
Fontbonne College, a personal Roman Catholic establishment, will shut down after its summer season time period in 2025. Declining enrollment and monetary difficulties rendered operations unsustainable.
