University of North Texas Grapples with a $45 Million Structural Deficit

The University of North Texas (UNT), a major public research institution in Denton, Texas, is staring down a projected $45 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026. This figure marks a significant escalation from the initial $31.2 million estimate announced in August 2025, representing a $14 million deeper hole than anticipated. UNT President Harrison Keller described the deficit as "structural, not just temporary," highlighting its roots in dynamic and complex factors that demand long-term strategic responses.

At the core of UNT's woes is a dramatic plunge in international graduate student enrollment, which accounted for about 60% of the university's recent growth. International students, who pay higher out-of-state tuition rates and receive minimal financial aid, generated a $47.3 million year-over-year drop in tuition revenue—a whopping 10% decline. Federal visa policy changes under the current administration have accelerated this trend, with nonresident graduate enrollment falling short by $14.7 million. Compounding this, UNT budgeted for a $32 million cut in state formula funding due to overall enrollment dipping 5.7% (over 2,600 students) in fall 2024, one of the steepest declines among Texas public colleges.

• International graduate enrollment: Key revenue driver now evaporating due to visa restrictions.
• State funding loss: $16 million initially projected for FY2026 based on enrollment formulas.
• Overall headcount: Peaked at 46,864 in prior years but reversed amid broader national trends.

Keller emphasized in a February 2026 letter to faculty and staff that "hard choices" lie ahead, with impacts rippling across the university. While specific cuts remain under review by a dedicated group, priorities include boosting first-year retention from 77% to 90% through enhanced advising, mental health support, and first-year programs. UNT also eyes nontraditional students and community college transfer pathways to stabilize finances.Higher ed career advice on adapting to such shifts can help professionals navigate uncertainty.

Brown University Cuts 48 Jobs Amid Federal Funding Pressures

In a move emblematic of Ivy League belt-tightening, Brown University announced layoffs affecting 48 filled positions and the elimination of 55 vacant budgeted roles in September 2025. These actions form part of a $15 million unit-level reduction effort, supplemented by central measures to close a $30 million budget gap for FY2026—far less severe than the initially feared $100 million-plus hit from federal policy shifts.

Brown's challenges stem primarily from anticipated declines in federal research funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of Energy (DOE). Despite some mitigation through negotiations restoring portions of grants, the Ivy League school proceeded with targeted cuts. Unit leaders had flexibility to achieve 2.5% savings, prioritizing structural changes and vacant posts. Additional steps include consolidating health plans, selling non-strategic real estate, pausing net-zero emissions initiatives temporarily, trimming IT and facilities budgets, and ramping up current-use fundraising.

Support for affected employees includes severance, outplacement services, and internal job matching. This follows a hiring freeze and earlier elimination of 90 mostly vacant positions. Brown's approach underscores how even well-endowed privates are not immune to federal ripple effects.

For faculty and staff eyeing stability, platforms like higher ed faculty jobs offer opportunities amid sector-wide flux.

The Enrollment Cliff: A Demographic Tsunami Hitting Campuses Now

The so-called "enrollment cliff"—a sharp drop in traditional college-age high school graduates—has arrived in 2026, exacerbating university budget shortfalls nationwide. Projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) forecast steady declines starting this year, tied to lower birth rates from the 2008 recession era. Regions like the Northeast face up to 17% drops, with the Midwest and West not far behind; only 12 states plus D.C. expect growth.

US colleges saw enrollment stabilize post-COVID but now confront this cliff alongside policy-driven international student losses. UNT's 5.7% dip exemplifies the trend, while national data shows nontraditional and transfer recruitment as lifelines. Institutions must pivot: enhance retention (e.g., UNT's 90% goal), target adult learners, and forge community college pipelines.

• Peak class: 2025 largest ever; 2026 marks downturn.
• Regional variance: Northeast hardest hit, South relatively stable.
• Strategies: Micro-credentials, online expansion, employer partnerships.

This cliff amplifies higher education layoffs, pushing adjunct professor jobs and flexible roles into demand.

State Funding Stagnation Fuels the Crisis

State higher education funding entered a softening phase in FY2026, per the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) Grapevine report. While overall support rose a modest 1%, seven states slashed appropriations by 5% or more, lagging inflation and enrollment needs. Financial aid per full-time equivalent (FTE) hit a record $1,155 but comprises just 9.9% of revenues.

Texas exemplifies: UNT lost $32 million in formula funds tied to headcount. Maryland's system cut 7% ($155M short), Cal State trimmed courses and staff. Trends show post-COVID gains reversing amid fiscal conservatism.SHEEO Grapevine warns of a new low-growth era.

Administrators seek efficiencies; job seekers can explore administration jobs in resilient systems.

Photo by Segun Osunyomi on Unsplash

Federal Policies Accelerate Layoffs and Reductions

Visa crackdowns and research grant uncertainties under Trump 2.0 have hammered revenues. International enrollment—15%+ at UNT—plummeted, mirroring national trends. Federal aid delays and potential Pell shortfalls ($5.5B) add pressure. Even NSF/DOE funders like Brown felt hits, despite partial recoveries.

2025 saw 9,000+ jobs cut; 2026 continues with 100+ in January alone. Hiring freezes grip 63% of elites.

A Wave of Layoffs and Program Cuts Across US Campuses

Beyond UNT and Brown, pain is widespread. DePaul axed 114 staff; Rider 30 professors (offered adjunct rehires at 70% pay cut); Santa Monica College 70 jobs for $16.7M deficit. MIT shuttered libraries (16 jobs); UT-Austin closed centers (20+ layoffs). Closures like California College of the Arts loom.

• Earlham College: 109 positions gone (41% faculty).
• UNC-Chapel Hill: $17M admin cuts, centers closed.
• Nebraska-Lincoln: Four programs terminated.

Check professor jobs for openings amid transitions.

Stakeholder Impacts: From Faculty to Students

Faculty face layoffs, buyouts; staff attrition; students larger classes, fee hikes, reduced services. Retention suffers without advising. Yet, opportunities arise in growing fields like AI, workforce training.

Strategies for Survival: Efficiencies and Innovations

Universities deploy hiring freezes, real estate sales (Brown), retention boosts (UNT), mergers (NJ City/Kean). Fundraising, online pivots key. Academic CV tips aid job hunts.

Photo by Julia Taubitz on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Resilient Paths in Higher Education

While challenges persist through 2030s cliff, proactive leaders will thrive. Explore higher ed jobs, rate my professor, university jobs, career advice, and post a job at AcademicJobs.com for stability.