Indiana public colleges cut or merge a fifth of degree programs, more could come

MAGA at work cutting education! They love the poorly educated.

"A handful of Indiana's public colleges have proactively decided to cut or "consolidate" about a fifth of the state's degree programs ahead of a new state law, introduced at the very end of the legislative session, that takes effect July 1.

That's roughly 400 of the 2,200 degree programs across state institutions on the chopping block, the Commission for Higher Education announced June 30, because they don't have enough students enrolled in them. This is being billed as part of a Gov. Mike Braun agenda item to direct students to the most "in-demand" fields.

"This will help students make more informed decisions about the degree they want to pursue and ensure there is a direct connection between the skills students are gaining through higher education and the skills they need most," Braun said in a press release.

The language dictating this change joined a slew of other directives added to the state budget the day before the legislative session concluded, from adding "productivity" reviews to the tenure process to giving Braun appointing power over the entire Indiana University board of trustees. This particular provision about degree programs allots a student enrollment quota they must meet in order to be continued automatically, or else they need an exemption from the Commission."

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/30/indiana-colleges-cut-merge-400-degree-programs-ahead-of-new-state-law/84422023007/