Monday, September 12, 2016

The start of a trend in private higher education?

Thomas Jefferson University, known for its healthcare programs, and Philadelphia University, famed for its fashion programs, have announced they will merge in 2017.  That will make the new entity the fifth largest higher ed institution in a Philly market chocked full of colleges.

The name of the new mega-versity has yet to be finalized.  Phila-Jeff?  We'll have to wait and see.


The presidents of the two institutions claim they will be (1) behaving like a start-up and (2) revolutionizing higher education.  Again, we'll have to wait and see.

Regardless of what the new name turns out to be, and whether or not the new entity is revolutionary, this is a smart move.  As I --- and many others --- have been predicting, a shake out in private higher ed is now well underway.  The for-profit sector is being gutted by the US Department of Education.  Last year Corinthian Colleges bit the dust.  Last week ITT closed all its many campuses.  The not-for-profit sector, below the top layer of elites, is in little better shape.  Finding a dance partner while there is still room on the floor is may be a savvy solution for many schools far smaller than Jeff and Philly U.

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