After 67 years of operation, Cabrini University closed its doors, sending shockwaves through what is already a fragile environment for higher education.
The Cavaliers were like the Knights in many ways. Both universities are Catholic, with similar tuition and class sizes. Founded within 10 years of another and officially made universities around the same time, Cabrini and Neumann University shared many commonalities, even down to their retention rates.
In 2021, the Roman Catholic university cut 46 positions and changed or eliminated 15 of its 69 programs, including majors in religious studies, Black studies, philosophy, gender and body studies, nutrition and human resources management.
Jackie Neary spent over 22 years working in Cabrini Athletics as their head women’s lacrosse and field hockey coach, as well as the athletic department’s student success coordinator.
“In the athletic department, we were a bit naïve because our rosters were full. We knew that enrollment was down, though.” expressed Neary.
According to an article by Inside Higher Ed, Cabrini had 2,448 students enrolled in 2013. In 2022, that number was down to about 1,500 students- a 38% decline.
When Cabrini went down, some Neumann students began to worry.
“I thought Neumann would be next just because of the sheer resemblance we had with Cabrini,” stated Nick Coppola, a senior communications-digital media student. “Especially with the current enrollment cliff amongst colleges, it is a tough time for smaller schools to survive.”
A private, non-profit university, just like Neumann, Cabrini faced some unfortunate challenges in their last few years of operation: declining enrollment numbers and high turnover rates, to name a few.
However, Cabrini isn’t the only school that has faced these challenges recently: many local colleges and universities are facing enrollment cliffs as students re-evaluate the true value of a four-year degree.
Drexel University, a private university located in Philadelphia, has also implemented budget cuts and revenue increases to combat the 15% enrollment decline they experienced this year.
In October 2024, Temple University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pittsburgh announced a collaboration; they are going to purchase office supplies together to save money.
With a combined enrollment of over 117,000, the three public universities are the largest in Pennsylvania, accounting for more than 18% of college students in the state.
The mid-Atlantic region isn’t the only one falling victim to universities’ declining enrollment and budget cuts; Colleges and universities in Tennessee, South Dakota, Florida, and beyond are feeling the effects of the widespread enrollment cliff.
According to Higher Ed Dive, following the 2023-24 academic year, four-year private nonprofits nationwide were down in numbers by 1.7%, which equates to a loss of 20 Title IV institutions.
The reduced number of high school graduations undoubtedly contributes to the enrollment decline amongst colleges across the nation.
So, what makes Neumann different?
Chief Financial Officer, Bruce Cairnduff, and Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, Francesca Reed, vouch that since Neumann is a non-profit university that does not have to return money to stakeholders, they can use sources of profit to fund better assets for the student experience, such as the N.I.T.E Center in the RAB, or the new coffee shop in Bachmann.
Neumann University experienced a 3% increase in enrollment following the 2023-24 academic year.
“We were able to hire four new assistant coaches for athletics, which helps student-athletes at Neumann enjoy their experience better and will encourage more students to come here in the future, and therefore, add to our tuition line.” Says Cairnduff.
For faculty members at all levels, Neumann operates as both an educational institution and a business. Not only this, but it is important that they center RISES values, especially Stewardship, according to Cairnduff.
This fall, Jackie Neary entered a new role as Neumann’s head women’s lacrosse coach and associate athletic director.
When asked what excites her about Neumann, she replied:
“Neumann is special- the students, the staff, the faculty. The majors are attractive to me. Cabrini’s biggest major was education, so it’s nice to have a whole new batch of majors to market.”
Pennsylvania boasts a total 157 universities—both private and public— and while there is cause for concern, it is apparent that Neumann University is committed to remaining open by bettering the student experience for all.
