Consortium of colleges steps up to accept Hampshire students

Hampshire College, known for its experimental educational approach, will close by the end of 2026 due to financial struggles and declining enrollment. The college currently has around 625 students, less than half of its number a decade ago. Several institutions have offered to accept Hampshire students, including Prescott College in Arizona, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, and Bennington College in Vermont. These colleges share similarities with Hampshire in their progressive and experiential education approaches. They are working to facilitate an easy transfer process for Hampshire students. The closure is attributed to the challenges faced by small, independent liberal arts colleges in a competitive higher education market.