美国一半大学面临破产

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing crisis in the U.S. higher education sector, highlighting a significant increase in college closures due to declining enrollment and financial challenges exacerbated by recent government policies [1][2]. Group 1: College Closures - Cabrini University in Pennsylvania announced its permanent closure in May 2024, following a year of financial struggles and declining enrollment [3]. - The Philadelphia University of the Arts, one of the oldest art schools in the U.S., closed within a week of its announcement, surprising many students [4]. - Over 500 private nonprofit four-year institutions have closed in the past decade, a threefold increase compared to the previous decade, with predictions of 80 more closures in the next five years [5]. Group 2: Enrollment and Financial Issues - U.S. college enrollment dropped from 21 million in 2010 to 18 million in 2021, with a 44% decline in enrollment at the Philadelphia University of the Arts over the past decade [6][7]. - Many colleges rely on tuition for survival, and as student numbers decrease, financial pressures mount, leading to operational challenges [7]. - Brown University faces a structural budget deficit of $46 million, which could rise to over $90 million without operational adjustments [8]. Group 3: Responses to Financial Crisis - Colleges are attempting to mitigate financial issues through restructuring, reducing liberal arts programs, and increasing online offerings [9]. - Some institutions have resorted to layoffs, with over 2,000 positions cut at Johns Hopkins University [10]. - Federal funding for several prestigious universities has been frozen or cut, leading to significant financial strain [11]. Group 4: Impact on Students - The closure of colleges has left many students in difficult situations, with nearly half of those affected by school closures not re-enrolling [12]. - The financial instability of institutions has raised concerns among prospective students regarding the reliability of their chosen schools [13]. Group 5: International Student Enrollment - The decline in international student enrollment is expected to worsen the financial situation of U.S. colleges, with a reported 11.33% decrease in international students from March 2024 to March 2025 [14][16]. - The U.S. government’s recent visa policy changes have further discouraged international students from applying to U.S. institutions [15]. Group 6: Future Projections - A study predicts that by 2037, U.S. college enrollment could decrease by 5 million students, significantly impacting the financial health of higher education institutions [16].