The Excerpt
The Excerpt
USA TODAY
Why hundreds of private American colleges are shutting down
14 minutes Posted Aug 13, 2026 at 9:00 am.
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Show notes
When Vermont’s Sterling College shut down, it brought into focus a growing crisis for higher education in rural America. With hundreds of small private colleges facing severe financial pressure, what happens to the students and communities left behind? Investigative journalist Jon Marcus from The Hechinger Report joins The Excerpt for a look at the impacts and what families must look for prior to enrollment.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected]. Episode transcript available here. 
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