Penn State University officials have proposed closing seven of its commonwealth campuses by the end of the 2026-27 academic year due to financial and demographic challenges. This strategic move will involve campuses in DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York, which currently enroll only a small fraction of Penn State’s student body. The proposal aims to optimize resources and bolster the sustainability of remaining campuses.
Resource management is central to the decision, as maintaining these campuses requires $40 million annually and demands a $200 million investment for facility upgrades. Penn State believes reallocating these funds to more viable campuses will better serve its mission, given shifts in population and decreased demand for location-specific higher education.
Demographic shifts have led to a 12.4% decline in enrollment between 2020 and 2024 at commonwealth campuses. This trend, partly due to a saturation of colleges in Pennsylvania, is mirrored nationwide, impacting institutions like the University of Wisconsin and West Virginia University. In response, Penn State plans to cut $100 million from its fiscal budget by 2026, streamline operations, and reorganize administration.
The proposal has sparked controversy, with a leaked report raising concerns among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and communities. Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi supports the initiative but acknowledges the distress caused before trustees vote on the recommendation. Faculty reassignment and priority consideration for staff aim to lessen disruption, while board Chair David Kleppinger expressed disappointment over the leak’s effect on stakeholders.
