Uncertain Future: why growing number of colleges, universities are closing before students graduate

Hundreds of colleges & universities have closed over the last 10 years. Many have left students uncertain of what they should do next after the closures.
Published: Mar. 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM CDT|Updated: Mar. 17, 2025 at 5:26 AM CDT
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(InvestigateTV) — College can be one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your life.

Each year, the typical college student spends nearly $40,000 on tuition, books, supplies and daily living expenses.

According to U.S. News and World Report, public in-state universities charged and averaged $11,000 for the year on tuition and fees alone, per the colleges it surveyed during the 2024-25 school year.

For private colleges, that total was more than $43,000.

For some students, they’ll never get to see that investment pay off. A growing number of colleges and universities are shutting down before the students have a chance to graduate.

Reporter Kristin Crowley finds out why and speaks to some of those impacted the most.