Christina Westman had high aspirations when she began her studies at St. Cloud State University, aiming to work as a music therapist with Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients. Her dreams, however, were abruptly disrupted in May when the university announced it would be eliminating its music department as part of a larger strategy to cut 42 degree programs and 50 minors.
The decision to cut these programs comes as part of a broader trend affecting U.S. colleges and universities. Faced with increasing operational costs, the end of federal COVID relief funds, and a decline in high school graduates immediately enrolling in college, many institutions are struggling to balance their budgets. These financial pressures are forcing colleges to reevaluate and reduce their academic offerings.
For students like Westman, these cuts represent more than just administrative decisions; they create significant personal and academic upheaval. Westman, who was preparing to major in music therapy—a program that had not yet officially started—now finds herself in a challenging position. The abrupt end to her chosen program means she must scramble to find a new school and adjust her plans. She has been dealing with the logistical difficulties of relocating, including finding a new place to live in Minneapolis and subletting her apartment in St. Cloud.
The impact of such program cuts is profound. Many students choose their colleges based on specific programs and opportunities, and significant changes can disrupt their educational paths and career plans. For students whose programs are being phased out, there is often anxiety and uncertainty about their future. Westman, for example, described her experience as “anxiety-ridden” as she worked to transfer to Augsburg University.
The broader context reveals that St. Cloud State’s decision is not isolated. College enrollment trends have been problematic, with many institutions facing declining student numbers and financial instability. Despite a slight recovery in community college enrollment, four-year colleges continue to face significant challenges. These include skepticism about the value and cost of a bachelor’s degree, with rising tuition fees and student debt contributing to concerns about the return on investment for higher education. The cost of college has increased dramatically, with tuition, fees, and room and board rising by 155% from 1980 to 2023. This has led to growing scrutiny over the necessity of a degree for securing well-paying jobs.
Moreover, the overall pool of college-bound students is shrinking due to lower birth rates following the Great Recession, creating additional pressure on institutions to adapt. The recent overhaul of the federal financial aid system has also added to the uncertainty, leaving many students unsure about their college plans and financial aid.
In response to financial strains, some colleges have resorted to extreme measures, including closing their doors entirely. Institutions such as Birmingham-Southern College and Fontbonne University have shut down, while others have eliminated multiple degree programs. St. Cloud State itself has seen a significant drop in enrollment from around 18,300 students in 2020 to about 10,000 in 2023, leading to a $32 million budget shortfall over two years. The university’s efforts to reduce spending have included cutting programs and staff, a trend that is expected to continue as colleges navigate their financial challenges.
This situation is affecting faculty as well. Longtime professors like Terry Vermillion, who recently retired from St. Cloud State, lament the impact of these cuts on academic programs. The pandemic had already strained music programs, with online teaching proving ineffective for many disciplines. The further reductions come at a time when these programs were beginning to recover.
For students such as Lilly Rhodes, who are in programs being phased out, the future is uncertain. With no new students being admitted to the music department and faculty members seeking new jobs, existing students face the prospect of dwindling resources and support. Rhodes fears that without new recruits, the department’s ensembles will become increasingly small and less viable.
As the higher education landscape continues to evolve in response to economic pressures and changing enrollment patterns, students, faculty, and institutions alike are grappling with the consequences of these significant cuts.