DAVENPORT, Iowa — A Catholic prayer resonated through the chapel, seeking solace for the poor, hungry, sick, and suffering. Mid-prayer, the focus shifted to a new alliance between St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University. At this Mass, the young speaker referenced these two Catholic institutions aiming to avoid closure common among small religious schools in rural states.
“Lord, hear our prayer for St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy University,” the speaker said, highlighting efforts to merge the universities due to declining rural college enrollments. St. Ambrose President Amy Novak noted the decreasing Midwest applicant pool, saying, “we just don’t have the demographics anymore.” This partnership seeks to preempt challenges expected in the coming years.
Over half of the 79 nonprofit colleges that have closed or merged since 2020 were religiously affiliated, based on a Hechinger Report analysis. Many schools on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of those considered “not financially responsible” also fall into this category due to financial instability.
The American Council on Education’s Commission on Faith-Based Colleges and Universities aims to boost visibility and collaboration among these institutions. Some, like Saint Augustine’s University, face decreasing enrollments, with numbers dropping to 200 from 1,100. Others, such as St. Francis College, have reduced staff significantly. Many institutions are exploring alliances to survive.
Ursuline College, with fewer than 1,000 students, is merging with Gannon University to remain viable. Catholic schools like Spring Hill College and Rockhurst University are collaborating to broaden academic offerings while maintaining independence. Nearly 22% of U.S. colleges are religiously affiliated, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Leaders of Catholic colleges recently convened to strategize future sustainability. “Survival of the fittest is not the strategy that will advance the common good of Catholic higher education,” said Donna Carroll, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities president.
Some schools, like St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy, are working from strong positions to prevent future issues. Their partnership aims to expand programs and reduce costs. While alumni and students have mixed reactions, the institutions plan to maintain separate athletic programs, as they are key enrollment drivers.
Religiously affiliated colleges often serve first-generation, low-income students, offering financial aid to 100% of students at Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose. However, these institutions face financial risks due to their tuition-driven models and higher costs than many public universities.
Despite these challenges, some religiously affiliated colleges are thriving, partly due to shifting political and social climates. They provide a preferred option for families seeking environments aligned with their beliefs.
Religiously affiliated colleges that have closed or merged, or announced that they will merge, since 2020
Alderson Broaddus University, West Virginia, Baptist
Alliance University, New York, Christian
Ancilla College, Indiana, Catholic
B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, Texas, Baptist
Birmingham-Southern College, Alabama, Methodist
Bloomfield College, New Jersey, Presbyterian
Cabrini University, Pennsylvania, Catholic
Cardinal Stritch University, Wisconsin, Catholic
Chatfield College, Ohio, Catholic
Clarks Summit University, Pennsylvania, Baptist
College of Saint Rose, New York, Catholic
Compass College of Film & Media, Michigan, Christian
Concordia College New York, Lutheran
Concordia University, Oregon, Lutheran
Eastern Nazarene College, Massachusetts, Christian
Finlandia University, Michigan, Lutheran
Fontbonne University, Missouri, Catholic
Holy Family College, Wisconsin, Catholic
Holy Names University, California, Catholic
Iowa Wesleyan University, Iowa, Methodist
Judson College, Alabama, Baptist
Limestone University, South Carolina, Christian
Lincoln Christian University, Illinois, Christian
MacMurray College, Illinois, Methodist
Magdalen College, New Hampshire, Catholic
Martin Methodist College, Tennessee, Methodist
Marymount California University, California, Catholic
Mount Mercy University, Iowa, Catholic
Multnomah University, Oregon, Christian
Nebraska Christian College, Nebraska, Christian
Notre Dame College of Ohio, Catholic
Ohio Valley University, West Virginia, Christian
Presentation College, South Dakota, Catholic
Rosemont College, Pennsylvania, Catholic
St. Louis Christian College, Missouri, Christian
St. Augustine College, Illinois, Episcopal
St. John’s University Staten Island campus, New York, Catholic
University of Saint Katherine, California, Orthodox Christian
Ursuline College, Ohio, Catholic
Wave Leadership College, Virginia, Christian
Wesley College, Delaware, Methodist
SOURCE: Hechinger Report analysis of news coverage and federal data.
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