From 2018 to 2022, 95 college mergers took place, up 21% from any prior point in the 21st century. For many, merging with another school was a last ditch effort to prevent permanent shutdown.

Attending college has been ingrained into American society. In order to be successful, college is a must. It is the clear next step after high school. But now this seemingly plain next step is beginning to waver. There has been a trend in colleges and school campuses closing, and in some cases, permanently shutting down. From 2016 to 2019, 86 colleges shut down or merged with other schools, and even more, 53 colleges closed permanently during the 2019-2020 school year.