Thought this was an interesting follow-up of sorts to my last post. Even though my scenario has yet to happen, to some extent, there’s already a crisis in higher education. Becker College is a...
Thought this was an interesting follow-up of sorts to my last post. Even though my scenario has yet to happen, to some extent, there’s already a crisis in higher education.
Becker College is a small school in Worcester, Massachusetts (just a few blocks from my alma mater, WPI), with another campus in nearby Leicester. They announced a few days ago that they would be closing at the end of the school year. Their enrollment has been declining over the past few years, their endowment was tiny (a little over $5 million, for less than 2000 students), and COVID-19 had forced them to spend a lot of money on upgrades. They were a very tuition-dependent school, and as a result, when tuition dollars dried up too much, the school couldn’t handle it. Two other factors I personally feel may have played a role: a split, relatively uncohesive campus; and outside of a few signature programs (their game design and veterinary programs were relatively well known), a relatively low reputation. Many other colleges (including at least one near Worcester: Anna Maria College) share some of these risk factors. With over 1100 four year, private universities, and a decline in projected enrollments, it’s likely we’ll see many more continue down Becker’s path. Thankfully, Becker students are being offered expedited transfer programs at numerous schools in Massachusetts.
As for the fate of Becker’s campus: Clark University (also in Worcester, it’s almost like a miniature Boston with respect to higher education) is absorbing their game design program (as the Becker School of Design and Technology), and will be using at least some of the campus for the time being. I haven’t heard about the rest of campus (especially in Leicester), but I suspect some buildings (many of which are just converted houses) will be sold off, while I know WPI is probably eyeing a few of the purpose built college buildings along Sever Street (which is pretty close to their campus, I had an apartment near there).
Thought this was an interesting follow-up of sorts to my last post. Even though my scenario has yet to happen, to some extent, there’s already a crisis in higher education.
Becker College is a small school in Worcester, Massachusetts (just a few blocks from my alma mater, WPI), with another campus in nearby Leicester. They announced a few days ago that they would be closing at the end of the school year. Their enrollment has been declining over the past few years, their endowment was tiny (a little over $5 million, for less than 2000 students), and COVID-19 had forced them to spend a lot of money on upgrades. They were a very tuition-dependent school, and as a result, when tuition dollars dried up too much, the school couldn’t handle it. Two other factors I personally feel may have played a role: a split, relatively uncohesive campus; and outside of a few signature programs (their game design and veterinary programs were relatively well known), a relatively low reputation. Many other colleges (including at least one near Worcester: Anna Maria College) share some of these risk factors. With over 1100 four year, private universities, and a decline in projected enrollments, it’s likely we’ll see many more continue down Becker’s path. Thankfully, Becker students are being offered expedited transfer programs at numerous schools in Massachusetts.
As for the fate of Becker’s campus: Clark University (also in Worcester, it’s almost like a miniature Boston with respect to higher education) is absorbing their game design program (as the Becker School of Design and Technology), and will be using at least some of the campus for the time being. I haven’t heard about the rest of campus (especially in Leicester), but I suspect some buildings (many of which are just converted houses) will be sold off, while I know WPI is probably eyeing a few of the purpose built college buildings along Sever Street (which is pretty close to their campus, I had an apartment near there).