The elimination or suspension of 210 degree programs that fell below a new state enrollment quota gained approval Wednesday from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
Since last year, the commission has been working with the state’s seven universities and colleges to review programs with low enrollment following the passage of a state law that sets specific thresholds for the degree programs.
Locally, Indiana University Northwest saw two programs eliminated Wednesday — an associate’s degree in labor studies and a bachelor’s degree in labor studies. The associate’s degree had an average of four graduates from 2022 to 2024 and the bachelor’s program had three graduates during that time, according to a report released Wednesday.
Purdue Northwest didn’t have any programs eliminated Wednesday but did eliminate three programs last year on its own, prior to the new law taking effect. Many universities voluntarily moved to eliminate programs after the law passed.
PNW eliminated a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship, a master’s in special education and a master’s in mathematics.
Students now enrolled in eliminated programs will be able to complete their degrees.
Data from the commission showed more than 1,000 degree programs throughout the state fell below enrollment thresholds. Those programs have about 4% of Indiana’s total college public school graduates. The state has about 2,300 degree programs.
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Private universities and colleges are not affected by the new law.
Along with the 210 programs being eliminated, 374 are being merged or consolidated into a related program or a new one. Another 427, which fell under a state review, won’t be impacted. Of the 210 eliminated programs, 50 had zero enrollment, the state said.
Gov. Mike Braun’s administration pushed for the quota law to point students toward “demand” fields and to ensure the state remains good stewards of state money.
“When higher education is more closely aligned with the jobs of the future, it ensures that the investments of students, families, and taxpayers are stewarded well,” said Braun in a release.
The state law dictated at least 10 graduates for an associate degree program; 15 for a bachelor’s; seven for a master’s; and three for a doctorate program or an education specialist degree typically held by superintendents.
Indiana Department of Education Secretary Katie Jenner, who’s also the higher education commissioner, is heading the effort to transform Indiana’s high school diploma to reflect work experience as well as academic skill and to guide students into demand fields.
“Students and their families invest significant time, money, and trust into postsecondary education, and they deserve confidence that programs are viable, aligned with student interests and workforce needs, and positioned to deliver real outcomes,” said Jenner.
The commission is also beginning a review of low-earning degrees in compliance with a law passed this year by the GOP-led General Assembly. It calls for the commission to determine the fate or degree programs with earnings from about $24,000 to $35,000.
To view the commission’s report, see: https://www.in.gov/che/files/Degree-Program-Review-Final-Recommendations-2025-2026-Review-1.pdf
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.