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Penn State University plans to shut down 47 degree programs due to low student demand and employment factors, affecting about 1.1% of students across its campuses. The university will work with these students to ensure they can complete their degrees, according to Business Journal Daily.
In addition to program closures, Penn State is considering shutting down some of its commonwealth campuses. Enrollment at these campuses has declined by 39% over the last decade, as reported by Yahoo News. The university's leadership will also consider factors like the evolving land-grant mission, population shifts, and student success when deciding which campuses to close.
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi announced that 12 of the university's 19 commonwealth campuses are under consideration for closure. These include campuses in Beaver, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York. However, no closures will occur before the end of the 2026-27 academic year, ensuring students can complete their degrees.
The decision to close programs and potentially campuses comes amid demographic challenges and insufficient state funding. "This is about strengthening Penn State's Commonwealth campus ecosystem so that it can continue to thrive, in a form that aligns with today's realities," Bendapudi said in a press release, according to the PSU Collegian.
The university's committee, led by Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses Margo DelliCarpini, Interim Executive Vice President Tracy Langkilde, and Senior Vice President Michael Wade Smith, will make the final recommendations on closures. They aim to maintain a Penn State presence in the Northeast and Pittsburgh regions.
>>Penn State Shuts Down Nine Programs At PSU-Harrisburg
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Penn State is planning to shut down dozens of degree programs. The university has received final recommendations to close 47 programs, including nine at Penn State Harrisburg. University officials said the programs were selected due to factors including low student demand and combined employment. They added that the closure will only affect an estimated one-point-one-percent of students and the university will work closely with those students to ensure they can finish their degrees.