1/2/25
We posted an article last year on how the financial troubles of some of our D3 institutions could present challenges for D3 volleyball players across the country. That hypothesis has certainly rung true for the last three years, through the pandemic, and now into 2025.
The latest victims are Fontbonne University and Eastern Nazarene University, both who have Men’s D3 volleyball programs. Both schools are references financial reasons for closure.
Here are some data points to consider:
At least 72 public or nonprofit colleges have closed, merged, or announced closures or mergers since March 2020.
It is estimated that 45,870 students have been impacted by private nonprofit college closures since 2020.
Just over half of students who experienced a college closure did not re-enroll (52.9%).
70% of students impacted by a college closure experienced an abrupt closure.
For-profit colleges are far more likely to close abruptly than public and nonprofit colleges.
40 public or private nonprofit schools or campuses on our list have closed or announced planned closures.
32 public or private nonprofit schools on our list have merged or announced mergers with other universities.
Here are some notable schools effected by these closures that have D3 or NAIA volleyball programs:
2025
Fontbonne, Missouri
St. Ambrose, IA merged with Mount Mercy University
Eastern Nazarene, MA
2024
Cabrini University, PA
Wells College, NY
Saint Katherine, CA
2023
Alderson Broaddus University, WV
Medaille University, NY
Cardinal Stritch University, WI
2022
Judson College, AL
The COVID 19 effect brought economic problems for many industry’s, including higher education, but the trend had started even before the pandemic on school closures as illustrated below:
The traditional college landscape continues to be put under a microscope to prove the value of a post-secondary education compared to the rising tuition costs. There may be a major re-thinking of the entire education platform for education after high school for the average American student. Considering the amount of student loans processed each year, and what is likely the largest business in the United States, things are unlikely to change. But students need to open their eyes and have a clear and informed path forward when going through the admission process. Technical schools, specialized online schools, and new thinking in regards to education has fueled greater competition and certainly dipped enrollments across the traditional colleges.
This should be a question asked or certainly worth your own research to establish whether your selected school has what it takes financially to exist by the time you graduate in 4 years. If your school is a non-profit, ask to see the latest 990 tax return which should be available to the public. If the school is private and has federal financial aid, there are numerous disclosures and data points that must be published annually, especially in the for-profit school industry. It’s fully within your rights to ask for these disclosures prior to making a decision on your college future.
Men’s volleyball remains the fastest growing college sport in the nation, but school teams keep dropping off for the wrong reasons.