📉 The Scope of February's Higher Education Layoffs
In February 2026, higher education institutions across the United States announced or implemented a significant wave of program and personnel reductions, resulting in over 300 jobs lost. This surge marks a concentrated period of cost-cutting measures amid ongoing financial pressures, with cuts heavily impacting a handful of colleges and universities. These actions reflect broader challenges in the sector, including declining enrollments, state-mandated program reviews, budget shortfalls, and shifts in federal funding priorities.
Tenured faculty, who traditionally enjoy lifetime appointments protected against arbitrary dismissal, were notably affected in some cases. For instance, mergers and restructurings enabled institutions to eliminate positions previously considered secure. This development has sparked concerns about the stability of academic careers and the future of tenure as a cornerstone of faculty protections.
The total figure exceeds 300 when aggregating confirmed layoffs from major announcements, excluding vacancies not filled or early retirement incentives. This follows a pattern seen in prior months, with January 2026 also bringing notable reductions at places like Santa Monica College and California College of the Arts.
Key Institutions Hit Hardest by Personnel Cuts
New Jersey City University (NJCU) experienced one of the largest single-round layoffs, eliminating at least 151 positions, including 33 faculty members—of which 24 held tenure. This move precedes a full merger with Kean University by July 2026, rebranding the campus as Kean Jersey City. Entire staff offices are being consolidated as administrative functions transfer, a common strategy in mergers to eliminate redundancies.
Idaho State University announced 45 layoffs: 12 faculty positions, 21 staff roles, and 11 administrative jobs, representing about 15% of its administration. The university faces an $8 million deficit exacerbated by state budget reductions. To streamline, it plans to merge schools and departments, axe the College of Education, and split the Biology Department.
Union College in New York cut roughly 40 employees, primarily all dining services staff, due to missing enrollment targets for two consecutive years. Affected workers can apply for positions with an external contractor taking over food services, alongside early-retirement offers for others. Officials emphasized these steps as essential for "achieving necessary savings."
Napa Valley College eliminated 33 positions—16 direct layoffs and 17 unfilled vacancies—attributed to lost federal grants as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) after policy changes deemed such programs unconstitutional. This impacted physical education and services for disabled students. Similarly, the College of Wooster laid off 22 staff members (18 full-time) to address enrollment declines and return to a balanced budget, with President Anne McCall noting the decisions stemmed from "financial realities" without reflecting on individuals' performance.
Central State University, a historically Black university (HBCU) in Ohio, plans to cut at least 16 faculty jobs to comply with state law (Senate Bill 1) mandating elimination of low-enrollment programs, mostly in humanities, amid persistent financial strain.
🎓 Programs Targeted in the Cuts
Beyond personnel, numerous academic programs faced suspension or elimination, often low-enrollment offerings required to be cut under state regulations or to save costs. University of Montevallo axed 16 minors and concentrations, such as African American studies (10 students) and Latin American studies (zero students), projecting $400,000 in savings from its $8 million deficit.
Buffalo State University discontinued eight programs, including an undergraduate degree in environmental geography, master's in conflict analysis and higher education administration, due to dismal enrollment (48 students total, less than 1% of headcount). This aims to close a budget gap.
- Texas A&M closed its Women’s and Gender Studies program earlier, citing low enrollment and state policies restricting race and gender discussions.
- University of Texas at Austin folded gender and ethnic studies into a new Department of Social and Cultural Analysis.
- University of Texas at San Antonio dissolved its Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies, merging it elsewhere.
These consolidations reflect political pressures in states like Texas, where curricula face scrutiny. Greenfield Community College offered early-retirement incentives to preempt deeper cuts from rising costs.
Inside Higher Ed's detailed roundup provides further institution-specific insights.
Root Causes Driving the Surge
Several interconnected factors fueled February's cuts. Enrollment declines, part of the "demographic cliff"—a projected drop in college-age population due to lower birth rates post-2008 recession—have squeezed revenues. Institutions like Union College and Wooster cited missed targets directly.
State funding shortfalls hit hard: Idaho State's $8 million gap ties to legislative reductions; Ohio's SB 1 forces low-enrollment program reviews. Mergers, like NJCU-Kean, aim to consolidate amid gaps of $25-30 million.
Federal changes under the Trump administration revoked HSI designations, stripping grants from colleges like Napa Valley. Political mandates in conservative states target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related or race/gender programs, leading to closures at Texas universities.
Broader economic pressures, including inflation on operations and stagnant tuition, compound issues. HBCUs like Central State face chronic underfunding, with 38 faculty cuts over three years.
Impacts on Faculty, Staff, Students, and Tenure
Faculty, especially tenured ones at NJCU (24 affected), face career upheaval. Tenure, or academic tenure, grants job security post-probationary period (typically 5-7 years) in exchange for academic freedom and service. However, financial exigency declarations or program discontinuations allow layoffs, often sparking lawsuits—as seen with former Baldwin Wallace professors challenging their terminations.
Staff cuts disrupt operations: dining at Union, admin at Idaho State. Students lose programs, majors, or services, potentially delaying graduation or altering studies. At Buffalo State, tiny cohorts justified cuts, but humanities at Central State suffer disproportionately.
Long-term, these erode institutional quality and morale. Yet, some positives emerge: reapplication opportunities or incentives soften blows.
Broader Trends and National Context
February's over 300 losses follow 9,000 cuts in 2025, per trackers. States like Oklahoma eliminated tenure at community colleges; others eye reforms. Political shifts amplify scrutiny on certain disciplines.
For context, higher education employs millions; these are targeted responses. Positive notes: some cuts close vacancies, avoiding active firings.
January's cuts analysis shows continuity.
Navigating Career Disruptions: Actionable Advice
Affected academics shouldn't despair—opportunities abound. Update your CV with achievements; consider our guide to crafting a winning academic CV. Explore adjunct roles or adjunct professor jobs.
- Leverage networks: Join faculty unions or alumni groups.
- Diversify: Research, admin, or industry roles via higher-ed-jobs.
- Upskill: Free resources for AI tools or enrollment strategies.
- Rate experiences: Share professor insights at Rate My Professor.
Institutions can innovate: boost recruitment, online programs, partnerships. AcademicJobs.com lists openings nationwide—check university jobs today.
Looking Ahead: Solutions and Resilience
While challenging, these cuts prompt adaptation. Colleges pursuing balanced budgets through efficiencies position for recovery. Policymakers could address demographic shifts with funding models rewarding outcomes.
For professionals, resilience means proactive career management. As higher education evolves, platforms like AcademicJobs.com connect talent to openings in faculty positions, administration, and more.
In summary, February's surge underscores urgency, but with strategic responses—exploring Rate My Professor for insights, hunting higher ed jobs, or career advice at higher-ed-career-advice—academics can thrive. Have your say in the comments below.
