Lourdes University in Ohio has announced it will close at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. This decision comes as the school faces significant financial challenges, including dropping enrollment and rising costs. The school’s board and its founding order, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, made this tough choice public.
To help current students, Lourdes is planning teach-out agreements, which will provide information on how they can complete their degrees. It’s important to note that Lourdes isn’t alone; other religious colleges, like Providence Christian College, have recently announced similar closures.
The closure reflects a careful evaluation of the university’s future. The new president, Nancy Linenkugel, is stepping in during this critical time. She is the 13th president of Lourdes and previously served in a leadership role within the Sisters of St. Francis.
Founded in 1958, Lourdes has offered numerous undergraduate majors and graduate programs. However, over the past 15 years, enrollment has seen a sharp decline. From 2021 to 2024, the number of students dropped by over 13%, falling to just 964. This is down nearly two-thirds from levels in 2011.
Recently, Lourdes reported a $2.8 million operating deficit for fiscal year 2024, and its net tuition revenue decreased by more than 7% from the previous year. The university also carries liabilities of around $18.1 million, including considerable long-term debt tied to loans. Meanwhile, its endowment stands at only $9.4 million, much of which has restrictions on its use.
During this fiscal year, Lourdes received $7.3 million in cash and additional assets from the Sisters of St. Francis. Despite this support, the board concluded they could not continue to subsidize the university at the level required to keep it operational.
Many private liberal arts colleges, especially those with religious affiliations, are struggling. They face a shrinking pool of high school graduates and rising operational costs. This has prompted some institutions to close, merge, or seek partnerships to remain viable. Lourdes University reached the difficult conclusion that it had no other practical options left.
Even though the news is upsetting for many, it highlights a broader trend in education and raises questions about how similar institutions will adapt in the future. This situation mirrors historical patterns in education, where financial pressures and changing demographics have led to significant shifts in the landscape of higher education.
The impact of such closures extends beyond finances; they affect students, faculty, and the communities that surround these institutions. As each college considers its legacy and contributions to society, the hope is that lessons learned can pave the way for more sustainable approaches in the future.
For more insights on the challenges faced by educational institutions today and expert analysis, you can explore articles from sources like the Chronicle of Higher Education.
