Financial Health of Colleges

I recently attended the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling (NJACAC) program on "Admissions Trends". One trend is that a growing number of small liberal arts colleges are having financial difficulties. A panelist suggested that potential students and their parents be on the look for signs of poor financial health including:

1. Significant deferred maintenance
2. Faculty and staff layoffs
3. Closed programs
4. Dropping of varsity or extra-curricular activities
5. Closed residence halls
6. Downgraded bond ratings.