Hampshire College to Close Permanently in 2026

Amherst, Massachusetts Hampshire College, a pioneering liberal arts institution known for its innovative approach to education, announced Tuesday that it will close permanently at the end of the fall 2026 semester after more than five decades of operation.

The Board of Trustees made the decision following years of financial struggles, including declining enrollment, substantial debt, and unsuccessful efforts to generate new revenue. Officials cited the college's inability to sustain full operations and meet regulatory requirements as key factors. Fall 2025 enrollment stood at 747 students, an 11.3 percent drop from the previous year, far short of growth targets. The institution also carries $21 million in bond debt that it has failed to refinance, along with short-term obligations tied to undeveloped land assets that have not produced expected income.

President Jennifer Chrisler stated in a community message that recent initiatives to boost enrollment and refinance debt had fallen short, leaving the college without sufficient resources. "The rationale behind this painful vote reflects several realities," the board and Chrisler said in a joint statement. "The college no longer...