Hampshire College to close

After years of declining enrollment and a dwindling endowment, the college's board of trustees determined that a sustainable path forward was no longer viable.

Hampshire is among nearly 450 private, nonprofit colleges estimated to be at risk of closure as higher education costs soar.

Students and faculty have expressed shock and grief, with many left without a clear plan for their academic futures.

The institution was known for its unconventional curriculum and emphasis on student-led learning since its founding in 1970.