Understanding the Announcement and Its Immediate Implications
The recent announcement from Labouré College of Healthcare has sent ripples through the Massachusetts higher education community. On February 12, 2026, President Lily S. Hsu shared a heartfelt message detailing the institution's decision to cease all academic operations by August 31, 2026. This small, specialized college, known for its focus on healthcare professions, will transition its core nursing programs to neighboring Curry College. The move establishes the Labouré Center for Advancing Healthcare Opportunity, ensuring the legacy continues in a new form.
This closure is not an abrupt end but a strategic merger designed to safeguard student progress and program quality. Labouré, located in Milton, Massachusetts, has long served adult learners, working professionals, and diverse populations seeking careers in nursing and allied health fields. With enrollment challenges mirroring those across U.S. higher education, the board prioritized sustainability by partnering with Curry, just four miles away.
Students currently enrolled in programs set to complete before the deadline—such as certain Health Science, Neurodiagnostic Technology, Intraoperative Neuromonitoring, and Healthcare Administration tracks—will graduate under the Labouré banner this summer. For others, seamless pathways forward are being crafted, reflecting a commitment to minimal disruption.
Historical Background of Labouré College of Healthcare
Labouré College traces its roots back over 130 years to 1892, when it began as the Carney Hospital Training School for Nurses in South Boston, founded by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Through mergers and evolutions, it became the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing in 1950, honoring St. Catherine Labouré. Over decades, it expanded into a junior college in 1971, then a full college, relocating to Milton in 2013 after disaffiliating from larger health systems.
The institution specialized in accessible, high-touch education for healthcare careers, offering Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN), Respiratory Care, and other allied health programs. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1975, Labouré emphasized practical training for underserved students—many balancing work, family, and studies. In fall 2024, its student body was notably diverse: 44% Black or African American, 31% White, and 13% Hispanic or Latino.
This history of resilience amid changes—from religious sponsorship to independent status—underscores why the closure announcement emphasizes preserving the Labouré spirit through the new center at Curry College.
Key Factors Driving the Labouré College Closure
Persistent enrollment declines form the core challenge behind the Labouré College of Healthcare shutdown. Federal data reveals a sharp drop from a peak of 1,188 students in fall 2020 to just 530 in fall 2024—a 37% plunge since 2018. This mirrors the national "enrollment cliff," where fewer traditional college-age students due to lower birth rates strain small institutions reliant on tuition revenue.
Financial pressures compounded the issue, with Labouré's $9.4 million endowment in fiscal 2024 insufficient to offset operating deficits. Regulatory hurdles added strain: in 2023, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing placed the ASN program on probation for NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates below 80%, limiting admissions to 28 students that fall. Though resolved by May 2024 with improved scores, the episode highlighted vulnerabilities in specialized programs.
- Demographic shifts: Fewer high school graduates in the Northeast.
- Competition from larger universities and online options.
- Rising costs for compliance and facilities maintenance.
President Hsu noted these "financial and enrollment challenges and regulatory hurdles" prompted proactive exploration of partnerships, culminating in the Curry agreement unanimously approved by the board.
Impacts on Current Students and Transfer Pathways
For Labouré's approximately 530 students, the closure prioritizes continuity. ASN nursing students unable to finish by August 2026 will relocate to Curry's Milton campus starting fall 2026, maintaining the same curriculum and instructors where possible. RN-BSN learners transfer credits directly into Curry's equivalent program, with tuition locked at Labouré's 2026-27 rates.
Articulation agreements are underway for Respiratory Care students, enabling fall transfers to partner institutions. Those in shorter programs graduate uninterrupted. Curry becomes the custodian of all records post-transition, simplifying transcripts and diplomas. The Labouré Center will offer tailored support: advising, tutoring, and cultural resources for adult learners and English language students.
Preparing an academic CV during this time can help students showcase their Labouré experience when applying for jobs or further education. Many will find opportunities in clinical research jobs or nursing roles boosted by their specialized training.
Faculty and Staff Transitions Amid Change
Labouré's dedicated educators and administrators face uncertainty, but opportunities exist. Curry plans to invite around 15 nursing faculty and 20 staff members to join, preserving instructional continuity under Curry's collective bargaining agreement. Clinical partnerships will be reviewed for retention.
This transition highlights the human side of higher education mergers. Faculty bringing Labouré's hands-on pedagogy to Curry ensure program quality. For those not transitioning, higher-ed faculty jobs platforms like AcademicJobs.com list openings at nearby institutions, including adjunct and full-time roles in nursing and health sciences.
Staff support roles may shift to the new center, focusing on student success services. The emphasis on stability reflects best practices in teach-out plans, minimizing knowledge loss.
Curry College's Role and the New Labouré Center
Curry College, with 1,994 students in fall 2024 (down 23% since 2018), steps up to expand its nursing offerings—one of New England's largest post-merger. The School of Nursing and Health Sciences will host ASN and RN-BSN programs at its Milton campus, creating the Labouré Center for Advancing Healthcare Opportunity.
Funded partly by Labouré's endowment and campus sale proceeds, the center targets diverse, non-traditional students with resources like career advising and experiential learning. Alumni join Curry's network, with the Labouré Alumni Council organizing events. President Jay Gonzalez emphasized shared commitment to accessible healthcare education.
Pending approvals from accreditors and regulators, fall 2026 launches promise enhanced scale and stability. Prospective students can explore university jobs in the region while programs stabilize.
Broader Trends in U.S. Higher Education Closures
Labouré's story fits a national pattern: at least 16 nonprofit colleges closed in 2025, with more expected in 2026 due to the demographic cliff. Projections show U.S. 18-year-olds dropping 13% by 2041, hitting small private colleges hardest—especially in the Northeast and Midwest.
S&P Global forecasts more closures as revenues grow modestly at 3.5%. Strategies like mergers (e.g., Lourdes University, Providence Christian) proliferate. Massachusetts Senator Driscoll praised new state laws requiring contingency plans for closures.
- Annual average: 4-5 closures projected through 2030, affecting 7,000+ students.
- Focus: Tuition-dependent privates with enrollment under 1,000.
- Solutions: Partnerships, online expansion, workforce-aligned programs.
Higher Ed Dive analysis contextualizes Labouré within this wave.
Support Resources and Next Steps for Affected Communities
Labouré directs stakeholders to labouré.edu/legacy for FAQs, timelines, and contacts. Students reach Curry Admissions at adm@curry.edu or 617-333-2210; faculty/staff contact HR at hr@curry.edu. Alumni use alumni@laboure.edu.
Actionable steps include reviewing transcripts early, connecting with advisors for transfers, and leveraging free resources like AcademicJobs.com's free resume template. Job seekers in healthcare can browse higher-ed jobs and career advice.
External support: Massachusetts Board of Higher Education offers teach-out guidance. President Hsu's full message reassures continuity.
Future Outlook for Nursing Education in Massachusetts
Mergers like this bolster workforce pipelines amid nursing shortages. Combined, Curry-Labouré programs scale to meet demand, with clinical sites preserved. Trends favor hybrid models, micro-credentials, and apprenticeships—opportunities for adjunct professor jobs in evolving curricula.
Positive note: Labouré alumni, numbering thousands, continue serving Boston's healthcare needs. The center ensures equitable access persists, aligning with state goals for diverse providers.
Lessons for Prospective Students and Small Colleges
Aspiring nurses should research institutional stability via enrollment data (IPEDS.gov) and accreditation status. Diversify options with community colleges or online BSNs. For colleges, early mergers and revenue diversification (e.g., corporate partnerships) mitigate risks.
Rate your experiences at Rate My Professor to guide peers. Explore postdoc or research roles for advanced paths.
Pathways Forward: Opportunities Amid Transition
While bittersweet, this closure opens doors. Transferred programs gain Curry's resources; alumni access broader networks. AcademicJobs.com connects seekers to executive and lecturer jobs. Engage via comments below—share your story.
In summary, the Labouré College closure underscores adaptation in higher education. Students graduate stronger, legacies endure, and Massachusetts nursing thrives. Visit higher-ed jobs, rate my professor, and higher-ed career advice for next steps; post jobs at /recruitment.
