After years of financial and enrollment difficulties, Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, will close after the fall 2026 term.
MassLive.com reports that Hampshire has been struggling for years after nearly closing in 2019. It fell short of its 2025 enrollment goal by around half, admitting 168 students instead of 300. Total enrollment is 750 full-time students, up from 2022’s enrollment of about 500.
Despite the efforts to increase enrollment, refinance existing debt and sell land, the college isn’t viable financially, administrators said.
In March, Hampshire’s accreditors required the institution to show cause as to why it shouldn’t be placed on probation or see its accreditation withdrawn.
An audit from CliftonLarsonAllen said Hampshire had over $20 million in debt and an operating deficit of $3.7 million in 2025.
In reaction to its enrollment and financial problems, Hampshire laid off non-faculty employees, suspended certain benefits and required senior leadership to take pay cuts, among other actions in 2024.
