At least 15 nonprofit institutions announced closures in 2025, a continuation of sectorwide financial pressure driven by enrollment declines and thin operating margins. Separately, a regional college that grew rapidly by recruiting international students is rethinking that strategy after reliance on overseas enrollments created fiscal vulnerabilities when international demand shifted. The twin developments highlight the brittle financial models many small and regional institutions now carry: heavy dependence on tuition revenue, limited reserves, and exposure to international-market volatility. Campus leaders facing revenue stress should re-evaluate enrollment diversification, contingency plans for sudden international enrollment drops, and strategic partnerships with regional employers. Boards will need scenario-based financial oversight and tighter enrollment-risk reporting to detect early signs of institutional distress.
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