Following the conclusion of the spring semester, Notre Dame College will be closing its doors

Notre Dame College, a Roman Catholic institution in Ohio, has announced its closure at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester due to various factors including declining enrollment and a diminishing pool of traditional-aged students. Despite exploring options like a merger or acquisition with Cleveland State University, the efforts were unsuccessful.

Over the past eight years, from 2014 to 2022, the college experienced a nearly 37% decrease in total fall enrollment, dropping from 2,281 students to 1,444, according to federal data. Despite efforts such as fundraising, debt refinancing, and accessing pandemic relief funds, the college struggled to bridge budget gaps and fulfill its debt obligations.

John Smetanka, the interim president of Notre Dame College, expressed sadness over the decision but assured that efforts are being made to facilitate a smooth transition for students to continue their education elsewhere.

This closure is part of a larger trend, with at least four public and nonprofit colleges in Ohio closing since 2018. Additionally, 20 institutions announced closures or consolidations in 2023, including several religiously-affiliated colleges.

Notre Dame College has arranged teach-out agreements with 10 other institutions, primarily in Ohio, including Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve University, and Kent State University, among others. An agreement has also been established with Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania to ensure students can complete their credentials without loss of time or credits.

Michael Joseph, Mercyhurst’s interim vice president for enrollment, emphasized the goal of meeting the diverse needs of Notre Dame students and ensuring the best possible outcome for all parties involved. The college assures students transferring to partner institutions will pay the same net tuition costs and graduate on time. Negotiations for additional teach-out agreements with other institutions are ongoing.