Across the United States, colleges and universities find themselves at a crossroads as waves of program cuts shake student communities to their core. For many, these cuts symbolize not just financial decisions, but life-altering changes affecting thousands of students who enrolled with dreams tied intricately to specific degree programs.
Take the case of Christina Westman, for example. She was on the path to becoming a music therapist, hoping to work closely with individuals impacted by Parkinson's disease and stroke. Her plans faced upheaval when St. Cloud State University, situated in Minnesota, announced it would eliminate its music department alongside 41 other degree programs and 50 minors. This decision not only left her scrambling for educational alternatives but also highlighted the stark reality many students are facing.
The root cause behind these cuts can be traced to several significant factors. After years of relying on federal COVID relief funds, colleges are now adjusting to their post-pandemic financial realities. Operating costs have risen sharply, yet student enrollment has not rebounded as expected. Instead, many high school graduates are bucking the traditional trend and opting to enter the workforce straight away. A lack of federal funds, increasing operational costs, and declining student numbers all come together to create a perfect storm for many institutions.
"For me, it's been anxiety-ridden," Westman openly expressed, reflecting the emotional toll of her transfer to Augsburg University amid the chaos. She was faced with moving quickly to find housing and secure her education, all the time battling uncertainty about her future. Fortunately, most students at St. Cloud State can complete their degrees before the cuts take effect, but as the university's acting president, Larry Lee, highlighted, it was too little, too late for some students, especially those targeting new programs.
Higher education was seen as resilient even during tough times, but the cracks have appeared as the waves of cuts continue to roll through campuses nationwide. The number of students enrolled dropped during the pandemic, but the expectation was set on recovery. Unfortunately, many colleges had to confront their real financial standing well before what they imagined. Lee commented on the delay, saying many colleges were "holding on, holding on" rather than taking proactive measures. Now the time for reckoning has come.
With skepticism mounting around the value of college degrees, student sentiment is turning. Many young adults are questioning whether pursuing higher education is even worth the financial and emotional investment. Recent statistics indicate serious doubts, with public perception about the return on investment for college declining. A survey revealed only one in four Americans believes obtaining a bachelor's degree is necessary for accessing well-paying jobs.
Compounding these issues, Americans grapple with staggering student debt. With total student loans surpassing $1.7 trillion, the pressure on upcoming graduates has never been greater. A recent study noted college costs had soared by 155% from 1980 to 2023, leaving prospective students with tough choices. The average tuition for private institutions now stands at approximately $39,723, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Despite concerns about the practicality of degrees, the benefits remain evident. College graduates continue to earn significantly more than their counterparts without degrees. Data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank shows graduates earn around $60,000 annually compared to $36,000 for high school graduates. While trends may indicate some companies dropping degree requirements, the overall job market still favors those who have completed higher education.
On the enrollment front, it appears there's no quick fix. The drop-in birth rates during the Great Recession led to smaller graduating classes. These smaller cohorts are now entering the job market, creating demographic challenges for colleges. Patrick Lane, the vice president at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, expressed concern over the "difficult math to overcome" as colleges grapple with fewer young adults to attract.
Financial aid has complicated matters, too. This year, the federal government’s sporadic changes to aid applications left many students unsure about their futures. A chaotic process during a typically busy enrollment period contributed to the anxiety. Katharine Meyer, from the Brookings Institution’s Governance Studies program, remarked on the fear among colleges about meeting their enrollment goals for the upcoming academic year.
For St. Cloud State, they experienced enrollment growth during the pandemic years, reaching around 18,300 students. But this fall, numbers fell to about 10,000—far below the necessary levels to maintain their operational budget. The hefty shortfall, amounting to $32 million over two years, forced sweeping cuts across various departments.
Sadly, St. Cloud State isn't the lone institution cutting programs to survive conditions exacerbated by pandemic-related shifts. Birmingham-Southern College and Fontbonne University are examples of small schools who've had to close their doors altogether due to similar reasons. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s public universities and Arkansas State University are also trimming programs.
This wave of cuts has substantial ramifications, especially when students build their educational journeys around specific programs and are left to fend for themselves at the last moment. It leads to very real emotional turmoil as students like Westman had to abandon foundations they believed were strong.
Looking forward, experts remain cautious. The educational system demands radical transformations to align with the times and student needs. Institutions will have to reassess their priorities and programs, focusing on those which hold actual relevance and value to the current job market. It’s time for them to adapt—and fast—if they want to make it through this modern storm of challenges.
While the tides of change may cause confusion, reflection, and fear now, the ultimate aim must be to steer higher education back toward growth and security. Ensuring success for the next generation of students may just involve daring to rethink the conventional pathways once prioritized. For students working their way through this reality, the academic road might just hinge on the willingness of schools to embrace change together with them. Only time will tell if these drastic changes will pave the way for positive growth amid the uncertainties of today.
