Wisconsin’s private colleges pivot to serviceable tech, healthcare instruction amid enrollment crisis

Wisconsin’s private colleges are rapidly pivoting toward technology and healthcare programs to survive financial and demographic challenges reshaping higher education. With over half of the state’s private institutions facing budget shortfalls and three colleges closing since 2020, these schools are making strategic shifts away from traditional liberal arts offerings. The trend reflects broader pressures in higher education, including Wisconsin’s declining high school graduate pool and a significant drop in college enrollment rates from 63% in 2015 to just 51.7% today.

The big picture: Private colleges across Wisconsin are radically transforming their academic offerings to remain viable amid severe financial constraints and changing student demands.

• Budget documents reveal more than half of Wisconsin’s 21 private nonprofit institutions operated at a deficit in the 2022-23 academic year, while three others have closed entirely since 2020.
• These institutions are increasingly supplementing or replacing traditional liberal arts programs with technology-focused degrees and healthcare specializations that align with current job market demands.

Behind the numbers: Demographic shifts and changing attitudes toward higher education are driving the financial crisis.

• Wisconsin’s birth rates have consistently declined over the past three decades, creating a smaller pool of potential college students.
• The percentage of Wisconsin high school graduates choosing college has plummeted from 63% in 2015 to 51.7% currently.
• The availability of living-wage jobs without degree requirements has further reduced the appeal of expensive private education.

Key adaptations: Private colleges are implementing diverse strategies to attract students and stabilize finances.

• Edgewood College is rebranding as Edgewood University while diversifying its program offerings to appeal to a broader student base.
• Several institutions are introducing specialized technology programs, including machine learning and AI minors at Milwaukee School of Engineering, and data analytics at Viterbo University.
• Healthcare-related degrees are expanding rapidly, with new programs in nursing, occupational therapy, and healthcare administration appearing across multiple institutions.

Painful transitions: The pivot toward in-demand fields has necessitated significant cuts to traditional programs and staff.

• Alverno College eliminated 14 programs and 36 staff positions as part of its strategic realignment.
• Concordia University reduced its workforce by approximately two dozen employees.
• St. Norbert College has proposed significant cuts to liberal arts majors that have defined its identity for generations.
• Marquette University is planning a substantial $31 million budget reduction to address financial challenges.

Why this matters: These transformations represent a fundamental shift in the mission and identity of institutions traditionally centered on liberal arts education, potentially altering Wisconsin’s higher education landscape for decades to come.