Mergers & Collaboration

The planned merger with Woodbury University, a small, private liberal arts institution in California, follows a wave of college mergers and closures in 2023.

More than a dozen colleges announced closures this year. Most struggled with enrollment issues that only accelerated after the coronavirus pandemic.

Institutions in North Dakota and Minnesota have worked with Tri-College University since 1970. In an effort to save thousands and reduce redundancies, the partnership ends next year.

The Albany, N.Y., institution will close next year after ongoing enrollment issues. Leaders unsuccessfully sought a partnership to keep the embattled college open.

Years of financial decline made it impossible for Multnomah to continue independently; the two Christian institutions will work “interdependently,” leaders say.