Hampshire College voted to close after the fall 2026 semester, citing a lack of resources to sustain full operations and meet regulatory responsibilities, the institution said. The Board of Trustees and President Jenn Chrisler cited missed enrollment targets, debt and financial pressures, and accreditation concerns as the decisive factors. Hampshire’s closure follows a broader wave of small-school failures driven by shrinking traditional-age cohorts and tuition dependence. The college said current students can complete their degrees through Hampshire or partner arrangements, aiming to manage teach-out obligations rather than abrupt termination. The case highlights how quickly compliance and viability triggers can converge—enrollment declines, endowment drawdowns, and accreditor expectations can leave institutions with fewer remaining options than leaders anticipate during turnaround plans.