"Are More New Jersey Colleges Doomed to Collapse?"

[retired711]

Yes. They're in the same bucket as NJCU and Bloomfield. Not sure their financials are as bad as of now.

Here's a recent bond rating on WPU. They're "stable" for the moment, but clearly there are issues. BBB+ isn't a great rating as compared to Rutgers' AA-. https://www.fitchratings.com/resear...sity-nj-revs-at-bbb-outlook-stable-06-02-2023

I don' t understand why WPU has "sizable pension obligations." The faculty is covered by the Alternate Benefit Program. https://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/documents/factsheets/fact38.pdf and the staff by PERS. https://www.wpunj.edu/human-resources/total-rewards/benefits/retirement-mandatory-benefits

BTW, I didn't know that Bloomfield has merged with Montclair. https://www.nj.com/education/2024/0...grams-after-merging-with-montclair-state.html

 

[DJ Spanky]

Remember that William Paterson is public,so it has a different set of issues from the other schools on your troubled watchlist.

Yes. They're in the same bucket as NJCU and Bloomfield. Not sure their financials are as bad as of now.

I live right down the street from Bill on the Hill. Beginning in the mid-to-late 90's they decided to change their profile from a commuter school known for being a teacher's college and for an outstanding music program to a regular run-of-the-mill "we're gonna make money" college/university. To that end they went on a building spree, putting up lots and lots of dorms. And, surprise, surprise, their tuition skyrocketed compared to what it used to be. Last I saw they were comparable to Rutgers on a course hour basis.

 

[retired711]

I live right down the street from Bill on the Hill. Beginning in the mid-to-late 90's they decided to change their profile from a commuter school known for being a teacher's college and for an outstanding music program to a regular run-of-the-mill "we're gonna make money" college/university. To that end they went on a building spree, putting up lots and lots of dorms. And, surprise, surprise, their tuition skyrocketed compared to what it used to be. Last I saw they were comparable to Rutgers on a course hour basis.

Rowan has been doing the same thing and has roughly the same tuition. Perhaps Rowan has executed the strategy better. Rowan has, for instance, the only four-year engineering program in South Jersey.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Rowan has been doing the same thing and has roughly the same tuition. Perhaps Rowan has executed the strategy better. Rowan has, for instance, the only four-year engineering program in South Jersey.

South Jersey? Is that based on a North/South orientation or a North/Central/South orientation?

 

[bigmatt718]

Rowan has been doing the same thing and has roughly the same tuition. Perhaps Rowan has executed the strategy better. Rowan has, for instance, the only four-year engineering program in South Jersey.

Rowan has been strategically growing for the last almost 2 decades now. They're within striking distance of passing Seton Hall in US News rankings. I'm all for a strong Rowan because it would potentially alleviate a lot of NJ brain drain for the NJ kids who don't get into RU-NB.

Any word on Stockton? I feel like they're just a Public Monmouth. Only selling point is going to college 10 minutes from AC because academically they stink compared to Rowan and the colleges in and around Philly.

 

[retired711]

South Jersey? Is that based on a North/South orientation or a North/Central/South orientation?

The question is purely academic: by any formulation Rowan (which is in Gloucester County) qualifies as South Jersey.

 

[bigmatt718]

South Jersey? Is that based on a North/South orientation or a North/Central/South orientation?

Rowan is in Gloucester County which is about as South Jersey as you can get.

 

[retired711]

Rowan has been strategically growing for the last almost 2 decades now. They're within striking distance of passing Seton Hall in US News rankings. I'm all for a strong Rowan because it would potentially alleviate a lot of NJ brain drain for the NJ kids who don't get into RU-NB.

Any word on Stockton? I feel like they're just a Public Monmouth. Only selling point is going to college 10 minutes from AC because academically they stink compared to Rowan and the colleges in and around Philly.

Rutgers, and particularly Rutgers-Camden, are much more Rowan's competition than Seton Hall. Rutgers-Camden is rated higher, but Rowan has the advantages of having lower tuition, an engineering program, a teacher education program (Camden has a tiny one) and perhaps most importantly, an administration that cares about making it better. Perhaps it's no surprise that Rowan's first-year class is essentially equal to Rutgers-Camden's in test scores and GPA. https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/compare/rowan-university-vs-rutgers-university-camden

 

[bigmatt718]

Rutgers, and particularly Rutgers-Camden, are much more Rowan's competition than Seton Hall. Rutgers-Camden is rated higher, but Rowan has the advantages of having lower tuition, an engineering program, a teacher education program (Camden has a tiny one) and perhaps most importantly, an administration that cares about making it better. Perhaps it's no surprise that Rowan's first-year class is essentially equal to Rutgers-Camden's in test scores and GPA. https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/compare/rowan-university-vs-rutgers-university-camden

I'm in agreement with you that if I had to choose between Rowan and RU-Camden, I'd choose Rowan. Rowan has been very ambitious to where they're basically the de facto University of South Jersey now.

 

[retired711]

I'm in agreement with you that if I had to choose between Rowan and RU-Camden, I'd choose Rowan. Rowan has been very ambitious to where they're basically the de facto University of South Jersey now.

The current chancellor at Rutgers-Camden is, by all accounts, not very good. The last time Camden had an ambitious chancellor, Wendell Pritchett, he left after Barchi turned down every request to make the place better. To the central administration, the Camden campus is nothing more than a way to demonstrate "concern" for Camden. Pritchett went back to Penn, served as its acting President and has a chair there; it was extraordinary for Rutgers-Camden to have attracted someone of his caliber. But Rutgers gonna be Rutgers.

 

[DJ Spanky]

The last time Camden had an ambitious chancellor, Wendell Pritchett, he left after Barchi turned down every request to make the place better.

Good Ol' "Throw 'Em Under The Bus" Barchi

 

[bigmatt718]

Apparently Dick McCormick is becoming the President of Stony Brook as of August 1st.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Rowan has been doing the same thing and has roughly the same tuition. Perhaps Rowan has executed the strategy better. Rowan has, for instance, the only four-year engineering program in South Jersey.

They got the 100 Million donation from Henry Rowan nearly 30 years ago to jump start the process

 

[retired711]

They got the 100 Million donation from Henry Rowan nearly 30 years ago to jump start the process

Yes, and of course Rutgers didn't respond. Like I say, Rutgers gonna Rutgers. Maybe it would have been better if Rowan had been allowed to take over Rutgers-Camden -- at least there would be leadership that wanted to improve the place.

 

[retired711]

Apparently Dick McCormick is becoming the President of Stony Brook as of August 1st.

He will only be the interim President while they do a national search. Of course, who knows how that will end up.

BTW, Stony Brook is apparently more selective than Rutgers, and its first year class has better numerical credentials. https://www.collegesimply.com/colle...rsity-new-brunswick-vs-stony-brook-university

Edit: McCormick will turn 77 the day after Christmas. IMHO, only a damn fool would want to be a university president at that age.

 

[Leonard23]

Will 25 Percent Of Colleges Consolidate? An Update On A Prediction

The prediction that Clayton Christensen and I made appears to be playing out—and maybe in the timeframe we originally said.

www.forbes.com

 

[ashokan]

Is college still worth it? Many Americans say no

Americans are losing faith in higher education amid high tuition, uncertain payoff and culture wars on campus.

www.newsweek.com

 

[Leonard23]

Drexel with some challenges and restructuring:

Enrollment stood at 21,700 last school year, down 10% from 2017. Drexel has not yet released its enrollment numbers for this fall. With a quarter system, classes are not scheduled to start until Sept. 23. Fry acknowledged enrollment challenges this year, given ongoing problems nationally with federal financial aid forms.

Drexel also has faced a reduction in net tuition revenue. In 2023, it stood at $610 million — $17 million less than it was in 2015. Fry said last month that medical malpractice settlements also were a strain.

Drexel University is consolidating schools and asking several deans to step down

The move comes amid a budget crunch and as the West Philadelphia university prepares to move from a quarter system to a semester system, which is part of a larger academic restructuring.

www.inquirer.com

 

[NotInRHouse]

Drexel with some challenges and restructuring:

Enrollment stood at 21,700 last school year, down 10% from 2017. Drexel has not yet released its enrollment numbers for this fall. With a quarter system, classes are not scheduled to start until Sept. 23. Fry acknowledged enrollment challenges this year, given ongoing problems nationally with federal financial aid forms.

Drexel also has faced a reduction in net tuition revenue. In 2023, it stood at $610 million — $17 million less than it was in 2015. Fry said last month that medical malpractice settlements also were a strain.

Drexel University is consolidating schools and asking several deans to step down

The move comes amid a budget crunch and as the West Philadelphia university prepares to move from a quarter system to a semester system, which is part of a larger academic restructuring.

www.inquirer.com

I never understood the lure Drexel has...I remember reading at 1 point it was among top 5 schools for NJ OOS students

 

[bigmatt718]

I never understood the lure Drexel has...I remember reading at 1 point it was among top 5 schools for NJ OOS students

They're for STEM kids in NJ who couldn't get into Stevens, Rutgers-NB, or PSU.

 

[Leonard23]

I never understood the lure Drexel has...I remember reading at 1 point it was among top 5 schools for NJ OOS students

They're for STEM kids in NJ who couldn't get into Stevens, Rutgers-NB, or PSU.

It's likely more because of the co-op program and Philly location (next to UPenn). A lot of South Jersey students likely apply there and Temple because they don't want to go to Rutgers Camden or Rowan and have more of an affinity for all things Philly over NJ and NYC.

 

[bigmatt718]

It's likely more because of the co-op program and Philly location (next to UPenn). A lot of South Jersey students likely apply there and Temple because they don't want to go to Rutgers Camden or Rowan and have more of an affinity for all things Philly over NJ and NYC.

I'd rather go to Delaware than Temple if I was a South Jersey kid and was too scared of moving away from the Philly metro area. The co-op program at Drexel is a good sell, though, I will say that. Agreed on Rowan...while it has gotten a ton better, it's still has the stink of being the de facto safety school in the minds of South Jersey kids who couldn't get into anywhere else, albeit not as strong as when I was looking at colleges in the early 2000s. Bet they have a bunch of kids who only go to Rowan for a year or 2 and then transfer out to somewhere like RU-NB, Delaware, Nova, PSU, etc.

 

[NotInRHouse]

It's likely more because of the co-op program and Philly location (next to UPenn). A lot of South Jersey students likely apply there and Temple because they don't want to go to Rutgers Camden or Rowan and have more of an affinity for all things Philly over NJ and NYC.

I knew kids when I was in HS (about 1 hr from NYC and 1 and 15 from Philly, but culturally closer to the former) who went to Temple and UDel but the price for those is way lower...maybe Drexel is giving out a lot of $$? The one school I always knew about with the co op was Northeastern, maybe as they have improved, Drexel is the new #2?

 

[Leonard23]

Seems the lower ranked NJ colleges want more government oversight to prevent them from making bad decisions and going out of business...

University leaders urge state oversight, financial support to keep colleges afloat • New Jersey Monitor

Decades of disinvestment and borrowing have left New Jersey's colleges and universities in a financially precarious position, officials said.

newjerseymonitor.com

 

[NotInRHouse]

Seems the lower ranked NJ colleges want more government oversight to prevent them from making bad decisions and going out of business...

University leaders urge state oversight, financial support to keep colleges afloat • New Jersey Monitor

Decades of disinvestment and borrowing have left New Jersey's colleges and universities in a financially precarious position, officials said.

newjerseymonitor.com

Aren't most of the public schools in NJ doing OK other than NJCU?

 

[Fat Koko]

Seems the lower ranked NJ colleges want more government oversight to prevent them from making bad decisions and going out of business...

University leaders urge state oversight, financial support to keep colleges afloat • New Jersey Monitor

Decades of disinvestment and borrowing have left New Jersey's colleges and universities in a financially precarious position, officials said.

newjerseymonitor.com

"University leaders are seeking increased state oversight and financial support for New Jersey’s public colleges, warning high debt and a looming enrollment cliff threaten the future viability of some institutions."

The university leaders want the financial support from the state. Not sure they want more oversight. That would invite more regulation and bureaucracy. Few leaders want that.

On enrollment, Rutgers New Brunswick has a brighter outlook than most other B1G universities. Undergraduate applications to Rutgers New Brunswick have been rising for decades.

2023 43,347
2022 41,654
2021 43,161
2020 41,263
2019 41,286
2018 41,348
2017 38,384
2016 36,677
2015 35,340
2014 31,941
2013 30,631
2012 28,635
2011 28,582
2010 29,532
2009 29,547
2008 28,624
2007 29,547
2006 28,208
2005 27,560
2004 25,462
2003 24,434
2002 27,311
2001 26,678

Source: Rutgers University Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support

 

[Leonard23]

Aren't most of the public schools in NJ doing OK other than NJCU?

Probably for now, but some could be at risk in the future with the projected HS graduation declines (~10% for 2026-2037). Also, some county colleges are already struggling financially or raising concerns they need more $.

"University leaders are seeking increased state oversight and financial support for New Jersey’s public colleges, warning high debt and a looming enrollment cliff threaten the future viability of some institutions."

The university leaders want the financial support from the state. Not sure they want more oversight. That would invite more regulation and bureaucracy. Few leaders want that.

On enrollment, Rutgers New Brunswick has a brighter outlook than most other B1G universities. Undergraduate applications to Rutgers New Brunswick have been rising for decades.

2023 43,347
2022 41,654
2021 43,161
2020 41,263
2019 41,286
2018 41,348
2017 38,384
2016 36,677
2015 35,340
2014 31,941
2013 30,631
2012 28,635
2011 28,582
2010 29,532
2009 29,547
2008 28,624
2007 29,547
2006 28,208
2005 27,560
2004 25,462
2003 24,434
2002 27,311
2001 26,678

Source: Rutgers University Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support

The article mentioned oversight and funding, but yeah everyone just wants more $ and less government oversight.

 

[NotInRHouse]

Probably for now, but some could be at risk in the future with the projected HS graduation declines (~10% for 2026-2037). Also, some county colleges are already struggling financially or raising concerns they need more $.


The article mentioned oversight and funding, but yeah everyone just wants more $ and less government oversight.

I would need to do a deeper dive on it and idk if anyone has examined other states, but for example I know PA began to merge some of their small public colleges because of declines.

In NJ I think our population is more stable- it seems like people moving out are retirement age and moving in are child bearing. Less and less people have kids but that is a national if not international trend.

 

[Leonard23]

I would need to do a deeper dive on it and idk if anyone has examined other states, but for example I know PA began to merge some of their small public colleges because of declines.

In NJ I think our population is more stable- it seems like people moving out are retirement age and moving in are child bearing. Less and less people have kids but that is a national if not international trend.

The lower total births are the reason for projected fewer HS grads and decline in college enrollment. Add to it the rising costs and groups discouraging attending any college at all and you have a potential problem for smaller poorly funded colleges. Look at Brandeis having financial problems now with declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.

Those small PA colleges had declining enrollment for a while now starting in 2010, and PA colleges overall have 30% fewer enrolled, so I'm not sure the mergers are anything more than just buying time until they have to start closing some and selling off assets. Based on that article, they have stabilized but who knows how long that lasts.

 

[Fat Koko]

I would need to do a deeper dive on it and idk if anyone has examined other states, but for example I know PA began to merge some of their small public colleges because of declines.

In NJ I think our population is more stable- it seems like people moving out are retirement age and moving in are child bearing. Less and less people have kids but that is a national if not international trend.

Read Demographics and Demand for Higher Education. I mentioned it in post 11 of this thread. The book explains the college enrollment landscape on a state by state basis.

Rust Belt and New England states are worst positioned. Mountain West states, Texas, and Florida enjoy the brightest outlook.

New Jersey is in the middle.

Rutgers New Brunswick possesses a secret weapon it can use to dramatically increase applications and enrollment: Offer Rutgers in-state tuition or SUNY tuition to New York residents.

A large majority of New York's population lives closer to RUNB than SUNY's top 3 schools, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook. RUNB application numbers and accepted student quality would skyrocket.

 

[NotInRHouse]

The lower total births are the reason for projected fewer HS grads and decline in college enrollment. Add to it the rising costs and groups discouraging attending any college at all and you have a potential problem for smaller poorly funded colleges. Look at Brandeis having financial problems now with declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.

Those small PA colleges had declining enrollment for a while now starting in 2010, and PA colleges overall have 30% fewer enrolled, so I'm not sure the mergers are anything more than just buying time until they have to start closing some and selling off assets. Based on that article, they have stabilized but who knows how long that lasts.

I hadn't thought about Brandeis but that is an interesting point you raise. I know their President recently resigned.

At least when I was applying to college Brandeis was considered a prestigious school. It is ranked behind us now in USNWR.

I definitely agree there are groups discouraging college especially for men- it's obscene.

I do think RU is well positioned in all of this. But time will tell.

 

[NotInRHouse]

Read Demographics and Demand for Higher Education. I mentioned it in post 11 of this thread. The book explains the college enrollment landscape on a state by state basis.

Rust Belt and New England states are worst positioned. Mountain West states, Texas, and Florida enjoy the brightest outlook.

New Jersey is in the middle.

Rutgers New Brunswick possesses a secret weapon it can use to dramatically increase applications and enrollment: Offer Rutgers in-state tuition or SUNY tuition to New York residents.

A large majority of New York's population lives closer to RUNB than SUNY's top 3 schools, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook. RUNB application numbers and accepted student quality would skyrocket.

It's a great idea but the NJ legislature might try to interfere with it. On paper a school like NJCU would be very well positioned to bring in NY students but they seem to be twisting in the wind.

Ofc there is an overall tie to the demographics in the states with ones like Maine being essentially retirement homes and CO and TX growing rapidly. Makes sense for NJ to be in the middle, we're good but not growing by leaps and bounds. What is interesting with PA is that they are growing slowly or perhaps even declining slowly but their college issues seem much bigger than the decline. I have heard of NJ kids going places like West Chester- fascinating especially if they can't sell it in state.

 

[Leonard23]

Some more info on this topic:

https://www.fa-mag.com/news/colleges-ramp-up-debt-sales-in-frenzied-race-for-new-students-78180.html

 

[HeavenUniv.]

A few years ago, Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee closed and UT brought the campus into the University of Tennessee. It is now called UT Southern and enrollment is just over 1,000 students and is located in a very small town. If and when Rider or other colleges close in New Jersey, would love to see Rutgers acquire it to offer a smaller campus with suburban/rural campus environments as an alternative to New Jerseyans who want to go to Rutgers, but do not want an urban campus feel or a large enrollment. Many New Jersey students and Mom and Dad write off Rutgers because they immediately think New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark. If they don’t visit the Piscataway/New Brunswick campus, they never get to see Cook, Livingston, and Busch. And of course anytime anything happens on campus, the lazy TV crews show College Avenue with all the buildings, congestion, and buses going by. Can’t tell you how many people have no idea that the whole campus doesn’t look like that. And even many that see the whole campus are still not interested because of the enrollment size. Don’t want to see anyone at Rider or anywhere else lose their job through any future acquisition, but it would be a fantastic way to get many good students into Rutgers that we currently lose.

Home - UT Southern

From a supportive academic environment, to deeply-rooted campus connections, UT Southern has everything you need to fuel your fire. Welcome home – we’re glad you’re here. Academics That Make a […]

utsouthern.edu

 

[bigmatt718]

A few years ago, Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee closed and UT brought the campus into the University of Tennessee. It is now called UT Southern and enrollment is just over 1,000 students and is located in a very small town. If and when Rider or other colleges close in New Jersey, would love to see Rutgers acquire it to offer a smaller campus with suburban/rural campus environments as an alternative to New Jerseyans who want to go to Rutgers, but do not want an urban campus feel or a large enrollment. Many New Jersey students and Mom and Dad write off Rutgers because they immediately think New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark. If they don’t visit the Piscataway/New Brunswick campus, they never get to see Cook, Livingston, and Busch. And of course anytime anything happens on campus, the lazy TV crews show College Avenue with all the buildings, congestion, and buses going by. Can’t tell you how many people have no idea that the whole campus doesn’t look like that. And even many that see the whole campus are still not interested because of the enrollment size. Don’t want to see anyone at Rider or anywhere else lose their job through any future acquisition, but it would be a fantastic way to get many good students into Rutgers that we currently lose.

Home - UT Southern

From a supportive academic environment, to deeply-rooted campus connections, UT Southern has everything you need to fuel your fire. Welcome home – we’re glad you’re here. Academics That Make a […]

utsouthern.edu

Buying out Rider if/when they financially default and turning it into a suburban satellite Rutgers campus wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[NealPageNJ]

I just don’t know if something like that will happen in NJ. The political power brokers will have a lot to say about Rutgers buying into TCNJ territory.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

I just don’t know if something like that will happen in NJ. The political power brokers will have a lot to say about Rutgers buying into TCNJ territory.

Not saying you are wrong, but Rutgers is now a powerhouse across the state in all counties with Rutgers Alumni spread throughout the legislature. In addition, we already have the satellite campus in West Windsor.

 

[Leonard23]

Not saying you are wrong, but Rutgers is now a powerhouse across the state in all counties with Rutgers Alumni spread throughout the legislature. In addition, we already have the satellite campus in West Windsor.

Interesting. I wasn't aware of this Rutgers at Mercer County College program. Not sure how I feel about satellite campuses away from the main campuses, such as acquiring a Rider or Monmouth, if they ran into dire financial trouble and needed a buyer. Seems unnecessary and takes away $ from the main campus. TCNJ is 3 miles from Rider, but I'm not sure they want such a massive expansion that increases enrollment by ~50% to ~12k.