Did you know that from 2018-2022 there were 95 college mergers in the United States? College mergers occur when smaller colleges are suffering from financial strains that threaten to close their doors so they merge with other colleges in order to stay open. This can be beneficial as students will not have to transfer schools and more colleges can stay open, but mergers do come with their own set of risks. One of the main concerns when it comes to college mergers is the thought that smaller schools will lose their identity. Often students go to small schools for the culture and comfort with smaller classes compared to the hustle and bustle of larger universities. When small colleges merge, some of this identity could be lost and students may feel less comfortable transitioning to the style of larger universities. Some students have also voiced concerns about a lack of support as mergers occur. Minority students may have concerns about finding their place in larger universities, and this can be overlooked when administration is planning a merger.
Although there are risks to merging colleges, this system does allow for colleges to keep their doors open. With falling enrollment and the cost of education rising, more schools are at risk for closing and are turning to mergers in order to continue educating students. Learn more about college mergers and if your school is at risk in the infographic below:
Infographic by: collegecliffs
