What drove Hampshire College to shutter, despite raising $55 million
The Christian Science Monitor • • nation
Key Points:
- Hampshire College, known for its unconventional curriculum without grades or majors, announced it will close at the end of 2026 due to ongoing financial challenges and declining enrollment.
- The college faced a $3.7 million operating deficit in 2025, significant bond debt, and a shrinking endowment, despite efforts to raise $55 million through fundraising campaigns.
- Nationwide, small liberal arts colleges are struggling amid demographic shifts, declining enrollment, rising tuition costs, and changing perceptions about the value of a college degree.
- The closure of Hampshire College reflects a broader trend, with hundreds of private nonprofit colleges at risk of closing in the next decade, particularly in regions like New England.
- Hampshire plans to allow current students to finish their degrees and is working with nearby institutions to facilitate transfers, highlighting the challenges students face when colleges close.
