Indiana to eliminate 580 programs

Indiana’s higher education commission did not unveil a new plan on May 19. It already voted on April 1 to merge, consolidate, suspend or eliminate about 584 degree programs across the state’s seven public universities after a review required by state law. The April action followed House Enrolled Act 1001-2025, which requires public institutions to seek approval to continue programs that fall below minimum graduation thresholds. State officials said they reviewed more than 1,000 under-threshold programs out of roughly 2,300 degree offerings statewide. Social media posts this week describing Indiana as moving to eliminate 580 programs capture the scale of the action, but they flatten what the commission actually approved. (in.gov) The state’s own breakdown shows a mix of consolidations, mergers, suspensions and eliminations rather than a single across-the-board cut. ### So what did Indiana actually approve? (in.gov) The Indiana Commission for Higher Education said approximately 370 degree programs would be merged or consolidated and about 210 would be suspended or eliminated. WFYI, which covered the April 1 meeting, put the total at around 584 affected programs. The commission said more than 470 under-threshold programs would continue with no immediate impact, including about 280 newly approved programs still building enrollment, about 50 “off-ramp” programs, and about 140 operating under improvement plans. (in.gov) That means the state reviewed more than 1,000 low-enrollment programs, but did not shut all of them down. ### What rule triggered the review? House Enrolled Act 1001-2025 set minimum three-year average graduation thresholds for public-college programs in Indiana. The thresholds are 10 graduates for an associate degree, 15 for a bachelor’s degree, seven for a master’s degree, and three for an educational specialist degree or doctorate. Indiana University told faculty and students in a June 2025 notice that institutions wanting to keep under-threshold programs had to request approval from the commission. (in.gov) If approval was not granted, the institution had to eliminate the degree program. ### How big is this relative to Indiana’s system? State officials said the more than 1,000 under-threshold programs collectively accounted for about 4% of Indiana public higher-education graduates. (in.gov) The commission said those programs served “very few students” compared with the full statewide portfolio. Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said on April 1 that officials reviewed more than 1,000 degrees out of about 2,300 and described the move as part of an effort to “streamline” offerings and be better stewards of taxpayer dollars. (today.iu.edu) WFYI reported that officials did not specify what savings, if any, would flow to students. (in.gov) ### Are current students losing their degrees immediately? The commission said student continuity was a “top priority” and that students in affected programs would be able to complete their current degrees through teach-out arrangements. Indiana University used similar language in its earlier campus guidance, saying students could either finish their existing program or move into a merged or consolidated one, depending on the category. (wfyi.org) WFYI reported that the changes approved on April 1 are expected to be in effect by the end of the 2026-27 academic year. ### What comes next after the 584-program vote? The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported that the commission is now preparing a separate review of low-wage degree programs under Senate Enrolled Act 199, which takes effect July 1, 2026. (in.gov) That law directs the commission to determine by Dec. 1, 2026, whether programs with graduate earnings below a benchmark should continue, be restructured or be consolidated. (wfyi.org) The next public marker is that Dec. 1, 2026 deadline, when the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is due to report decisions on those low-earning programs. (indianacapitalchronicle.com)