Hampshire College

Hampshire College leadership says the private school will need to sell off parts of its 800-acre campus to meet debt demands.

With news that Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, will close at the end of the fall semester, a coalition of fellow liberal arts institutions is preparing to accept students looking to complete their degrees.

Amid news of its upcoming closure, some Hampshire College alumni are balancing mourning with sharing memories of their unconventional alma mater.The Amherst, Mass., school announced this week that it would cease operations after its fall 2026 semesterWAMC spoke with graduates who span the school’s history – all describing an institution that broke new ground in higher education, but also had plenty of obstacles to face in its final years.

Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, says it will permanently close after the fall 2026 semester. The announcement made Tuesday comes after the college has faced years of declining enrollment.

Higher education regulators are calling on Hampshire College to "show cause" and prove why it shouldn't be "placed on probation" or have its accreditation withdrawn.

For the past few years, one of the most unique colleges in the country has been making headway on a yearslong turnaround plan. As a result, Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts has gone from exploring a potential merger in 2019 ... to seeing student enrollment rebound a few years later.Now, the 55-year-old school has a new president overseeing the effort – Jennifer Chrisler.Following months of her serving as interim president, Hampshire announced her full appointment this October. She sat down with WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos to discuss how the school's navigated the last few years, what lies ahead and the role Hampshire plays in the higher education landscape.

Months after its last president departed, a western Massachusetts college has named its next leader, who had already been serving in the interim.

An interview with outgoing Hampshire College President Ed Wingenbach.

An interview with Hampshire College President Ed Wingenbach.

Amherst, Massachusetts liberal arts college Hampshire College got a major boost to its ongoing $60 million fundraising campaign this week in the form of an anonymous $5 million gift.