The trend of college closures in the USA has been influenced by a variety of factors, and the period from 2022 to 2024 has seen several institutions affected.

Here’s a summary of the situation:

College Closures from 2022 to 2024
• At least 61 public or nonprofit colleges have closed, merged, or announced closures or mergers since March 2020.

• Notable closures include Bluffton University in Ohio, Fontbonne University in Missouri, and Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts, with reasons ranging from financial struggles to enrollment challenges.

Most Likely Reasons for Closures:

1. Financial Struggles: Many colleges have faced financial difficulties, often due to a lack of funding and the heavy reliance on tuition, which can’t always keep up with inflation or enrollment erosion.
2. Enrollment Declines: A significant factor is the decline in the number of prospective students, with the lowest high school classes by population expected in 2025. Many schools have already seen these enrollment declines.
3. COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic brought economic challenges to nearly every industry, including higher education. Campuses temporarily shut down, and some struggled to reopen when lockdowns lifted.
4. Accreditation Issues: Some colleges lost accreditation, preventing them from enrolling new students and ultimately leading to closure.
5. Demographic Cliff: There has been a steep drop in the number of students of traditional college age, affecting the demand for college education.

The combination of these factors has led to a consolidation in the higher education market, with some institutions unable to adapt to the changing landscape. For students, faculty, and staff, these closures can be quite disruptive, affecting their educational and professional trajectories. It’s a reflection of the broader challenges facing higher education in the United States.

Here’s a list of some notable colleges and universities in the USA that closed or announced closures between 2020 and 2024:

• Bluffton University, Ohio (Closed in Fall 2025)

• Fontbonne University, Missouri (Closed in Summer 2025)

• Eastern Nazarene College, Massachusetts (Closed in Spring 2025)

• Cabrini University, Pennsylvania

• The College of Saint Rose, New York

• Iowa Wesleyan University

• Presentation College, South Dakota

• Lincoln College, Illinois

• Quest College, Texas

• Becker College, Massachusetts

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