The higher‑education sector continued to consolidate in 2025 with at least 15 campus closures and a wave of mergers and acquisitions aimed at stabilizing enrollment and finances. Small private regional institutions remained the most vulnerable, and university systems pursued consolidations to align programs with workforce needs. Notable transactions included acquisitions to shore up health‑care training pipelines and multi‑institution mergers intended to preserve academic offerings. Leaders pursuing consolidation emphasized regulatory approvals and accreditation as near‑term priorities for minimizing disruption to students and clinical partners.