Hampshire College to Close After Fall 2026 Amid Financial Struggles

39 articles · Updated · MassLive.com · Apr 14

Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts will permanently close after the Fall 2026 semester due to ongoing financial difficulties and declining enrollment.
The college will not admit a new class, and current students will receive support to complete their degrees at Hampshire or partner institutions.
Founded in 1965, Hampshire was known for its unconventional, student-driven liberal arts curriculum and has produced notable alumni including Ken Burns and Lupita Nyong’o.

With stricter federal loan rules looming, what awaits students from America's dozens of closing colleges?

What is the true economic cost to a town when its local college suddenly vanishes?

After raising $55 million, why was Hampshire's unique educational model still doomed to fail?

Is the demographic 'enrollment cliff' making small liberal arts colleges an endangered species?

While many small colleges fail, what is the secret behind those that are now thriving?

How will Hampshire's 'no-grades' students fare when transferring into traditional university systems?