The liberal arts have never been about accumulating isolated bodies of knowledge. They have been about helping students recognize relationships among ideas.
Hiring has cooled for entry-level software developers—work increasingly done by AI agents—and college enrollment in computer and information science programs has been declining.
Half of all institutions that have announced closures this year are affiliated with Christian or Catholic denominations, according to this University Business tracker.
Today's scarce entry-level job market stems from the traditional business cycle, but headwinds suggest students need AI training now to prepare for greater disruption.
For decades, universities competed for students, faculty and donors with buildings, rankings and brand. The next decade will be decided by what's humming in the basement.
