Between 1969 and 2021, 1,363 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the United States closed, mainly due to financial challenges like declining enrollment and inadequate funding. Demographic shifts, like lower birth rates, are shrinking the pool of traditional college-age students. To counter this, smaller colleges are increasingly targeting international students as a revenue source. Stricter regulations, student financial aid challenges, and government restrictions are pushing some colleges towards mergers instead of closure, while others are adopting alternative educational pathways to remain competitive.