Whether it was news of a recent college closure or a forecast of the severity of the demographic cliff, the most popular stories of 2024 centered on the changing makeup of higher education institutions.
A shrinking number of institutions in the market may breed fiercer competition. It’s no wonder, then, why college and university leaders were eager to discover who could claim the prettiest campus—or best all-around institution.
“President moves,” our successful bi-weekly series on the comings and goings of college and university leaders, has been excluded from this list to highlight other topics readers were invested in throughout the year.
Here are the 10 most popular stories from University Business’ website for 2024:
1. See how many colleges may close after 2029
A National Bureau of Economic Research paper predicts up to 80 colleges may close between 2025 and 2029 due to the onset of the heavily anticipated enrollment cliff. Not only would the closures affect over 100,000 students and 21,000 staff, but they could significantly impact the economies of the small and medium-sized communities in which they reside. Private institutions are most at risk. Read the story.
2. These features make 64 campuses the prettiest in the nation
Architectural Digest’s list of 64 stunning college campuses highlights schools with unified architectural visions, blends old and new styles, and beautiful surroundings. These campuses harmonize design and education, creating visually captivating and inspiring environments.
We went through eight of their entries—like the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and University of San Diego—and discussed why they made the list. Read the story.
3. U.S. News rankings: These schools made big moves
Over 50% of U.S. News & World Report‘s metrics to capture its latest college and university rankings were based on their success in enrolling and graduating diverse students. Special categories highlight the best value, innovation, social mobility and historically Black colleges. Read the story.
4. These are the best college presidents of the century—according to one list
The American Enterprise Institute ranked over 400 college presidents from 2001-2023 based on their contributions to access, affordability and student success. The report highlights “superstar” presidents who improved these areas, though they often didn’t lead elite universities.
Despite modest gains in access to underrepresented students and overall graduation rates, tuition costs rose by $100 annually, adjusted for inflation. Read the story.
5. These are the 10 best community colleges nationwide
Manhattan Area Technical College in Kansas earned the top spot for excelling in affordability, retention and graduation rates. Graduates earned a median salary of over $50,000, with low student-loan default rates and high retention between the first and second years. Read the story.
6. College closures are surging. Can institutions pause the plummet?
With college closures expanding into 2024, this article unpacks how two colleges on the brink of financial crisis worked to stabilize enrollment and improve their bottom line. Read the story.
7. After “exhausting all avenues” to avoid going under, Notre Dame College closes
Notre Dame College announced on Feb. 29 that spring 2023 would be its final term due to mounting debt. The closure followed the resignation of its president and failed attempts to merge with Cleveland State University. It was founded in 1922. Read the story.
8. College applicants dispel 3 narratives currently hounding higher education
Higher education leaders frequently cite the pressure they have to deal with from a skeptical public, media and even state and federal governments. However, opinions from over 10,000 current college applicants and their parents suggest a different narrative. Read the story.
9. The 20 ‘new Ivies’ emerging as higher ed’s next darlings
A breakdown from Forbes uncovered some of the most illustrious public and private institutions outside of the Ivy League and Ivy Plus realm. It placed a strong emphasis on standardized test scores and the reputation they garnered from surveyed employers.
“The bloom has been off the Ivies,” one employer said. “What has occurred more recently, with the pandemic and with all this nonsense going on post-Oct. 7 and all the rest has just been a bit of an accelerant.”
10. How to beat the enrollment cliff: Act like Yamaha
Unity Environmental University, formerly a liberal arts school serving traditional-aged college students, has transformed its enrollment strategy to address declining K12 student numbers. By expanding its reach to adult online learners, President Melik Khoury has boosted enrollment to nearly 10,000 students, enabling a tuition freeze and a $50,000 minimum salary for full-time employees.
“We don’t do sticker prices and discounts. Half the schools that are closed do that,” Khoury says. “It costs different to create, acquire and support different kinds of students.”
