The accelerating pace of college closures across the United States reflects a deepening crisis in higher education, where institutions once seen as pillars of opportunity are now facing financial collapse. As discussed in this Herchinger Report article, Luka Fernandes’ experience at Newbury College underscores the profound impact on students when these closures occur abruptly and without adequate warning. Beyond disrupting academic journeys, these closures leave students like Fernandes grappling with lost credits, financial burdens, and uncertain futures. As more colleges teeter on the edge of financial viability, it’s imperative for stakeholders—from administrators to policymakers—to prioritize transparency and proactive planning. Ensuring that students have access to reliable information about the financial health of their institutions and viable pathways to complete their education must become paramount. Without such measures, the risk of further disenfranchising aspiring learners grows, perpetuating inequalities and eroding trust in higher education’s promise of opportunity.
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Most students at colleges that close give up on their educations altogether. Fewer than half transfer to other institutions, a SHEEO study found. Of those, fewer than half stay long enough to get degrees. Many lose credits when they move from one school to another and have to spend longer in college, often taking out more loans to pay for it.
