The University of North Texas (UNT), a major public research institution in Denton, Texas, has announced sweeping changes to its academic offerings in a bid to address a staggering $45 million structural budget deficit for fiscal year 2026. This move comes amid sharp declines in enrollment, particularly among international graduate students, and reduced state funding tied to headcount formulas. On March 19, 2026, UNT leaders detailed plans to close or consolidate over 70 degree programs, minors, and certificates, marking one of the most significant restructurings in the university's recent history.

UNT, classified as an R1 doctoral university with very high research activity, has long been a powerhouse in North Texas higher education, serving over 44,000 students pre-decline and contributing billions to the regional economy. However, federal visa policy shifts under the Trump administration— including heightened scrutiny, delays, and revocations—have triggered a nationwide drop in international enrollments, hitting UNT hard. Fall 2025 saw sharper-than-anticipated declines in this key revenue stream, exacerbating a reliance on non-resident tuition that previously fueled growth.

Understanding the $45 Million Deficit

The deficit projection for FY 2026 (September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026) ballooned from an initial $31.2 million approved last summer to $45 million, described by President Harrison Keller as 'structural, not temporary.' This shortfall stems from two primary drivers: a $32 million cut in state formula funding for instruction and operations, calculated based on enrollment metrics, and revenue losses from fewer international students paying premium out-of-state rates.

Texas higher education funding heavily depends on enrollment-driven formulas, leaving public universities vulnerable to demographic shifts. UNT's international graduate cohort, once a tuition lifeline, plummeted in Fall 2025, mirroring trends across Texas: UT Arlington reported a 20% drop, while statewide projections from NAFSA estimate a 15% decline from 94,000 to 80,000 international students. Visa crackdowns, including spring 2025 revocations and airport detentions, created a chilling effect on applications, with new first-time international enrollments down 17% nationally per the Institute of International Education.

• State funding loss: $32 million (FY26-27).
• International enrollment: Key revenue drop, specifics sharper in Fall 2025 grads.
• Prior approval: $31.2M deficit planned, now exceeded.

Detailed Breakdown of Academic Cuts

Following a rigorous review prioritizing 'time to value'—graduation rates, job outcomes, and costs—UNT will phase out programs with chronically low enrollment. Criteria included master's programs averaging 15 or fewer students over five years, undergraduate minors with 20 or fewer since 2021, and certificates under two students annually. Current students in affected programs receive teach-outs to complete degrees uninterrupted; no new enrollments allowed.

Key closures include:

• Master's Programs (4 closed): Media Industry and Critical Studies (MA), Women's and Gender Studies (MA), Linguistics (MA/MS), Early Childhood Education.
• Undergraduate Majors (2 closed): Linguistics (BA), Latino and Latin American Studies (BA).
• Undergraduate Minors (25 closed): Dance, American Studies, Africana Studies, Classical Studies, Mexican American Studies, Peace Studies, Asian Studies, LGBTQ Studies, Arabic, Italian, Latin, Special Education, Music Business, Applied Gerontology, New Media Art, Aviation Logistics, and more.
• Certificates (42 total, grad/undergrad): Computational Linguistics, Digital Sociology, Narrative Journalism, Hospitality Management, Data Engineering, Autism Intervention, and others like Drug and Alcohol Studies, Retailing, Jain Studies.

A landmark merger folds the Department of Linguistics into World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, eliminating all linguistics degrees amid enrollment slides since 2021. Several programs merge (e.g., BA/BS in Geography, Sociology) or consolidate minors into major concentrations (e.g., Studio Art areas like Sculpture, Printmaking).

Human Impacts: Faculty, Staff, and Students

Faculty face a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) launched February 23, 2026, targeting tenured/professional staff with 15+ years service by August 31, 2026. Applications due April 10; incentives include full support during transition. This aims to right-size staffing without forced layoffs, though higher teaching loads loom.

Students in teach-out programs get priority advising; President Keller assures 'no disruption to current pathways.' Emerging reactions on social media and Reddit express concern over diversity cuts like Africana, LGBTQ, and Women's Studies minors, questioning long-term academic breadth. No major union protests reported, but faculty forums highlight morale strains.

UNT's Comprehensive Response Strategy

Beyond cuts, UNT reallocates via the University Budget Council: freezing vacant lines, reorganizing units, boosting online/professional programs, community college transfers, and tech-enhanced courses. Investments target UNT 2030 vision: student success, R1 research, regional impact. President Keller: 'We must stay focused on what will strengthen UNT for the long term.'

A January 2026 tuition-free pledge for qualifying Texas freshmen underscores retention efforts amid declines. Long-term: Diversify revenue, enrollment marketing, legislative advocacy for funding reform.UNT Budget Updates

Texas and National Higher Ed Context

UNT's plight reflects Texas trends: intl students down amid Trump-era visas (e.g., 15% statewide projected loss). Similar deficits hit UT Arlington (20% drop), statewide formula funding vulnerabilities. Nationally, 5.9% grad intl decline 2025; public unis nationwide cut low-enroll programs.

Solutions emerging: Advocacy for visa stability, online intl recruitment, domestic growth via affordability (e.g., UNT's free tuition).Texas Tribune on UNT Cuts

Stakeholder Perspectives and Reactions

President Keller emphasizes transparency, student focus: 'Our commitment to student success remains paramount.' Faculty via VSP see voluntary paths; student gov't engaged. Critics decry diversity program losses; supporters note low viability (e.g., linguistics down since 2021). Broader Texas ed leaders call for state aid boosts.

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Path Forward

UNT eyes stabilization via growth: Online expansion, partnerships, tech redesigns. FY26 budget alignment promises resilience as R1 leader. Lessons: Diversify revenue beyond intl, agile program review, policy advocacy. For Texas higher ed, signals need for enrollment-insensitive funding.

Prospective students/faculty: Explore resilient majors like engineering, business; leverage teach-outs. UNT's adaptability positions it for recovery, modeling proactive fiscal stewardship in turbulent times.