Is Your Teen’s College Financially Safe? What Parents Must Know About College Closures and Risk
About this episode
This episode discusses the financial instability of U.S. colleges and what parents need to know to protect their teens' education investments.
What happens if your teen’s college closes before they graduate? In this episode, College Ready founder Shellee Howard welcomes Gary Stocker, PhD, founder of College Viability, to discuss the growing — and often hidden — financial instability facing many U.S. colleges. Gary explains why small private colleges are closing at increasing rates, how tuition discounts are often framed as scholarships, and why parents should evaluate a college’s financial health before looking at majors, rankings, or campus amenities. Together, they break down graduation rates, enrollment trends, teach-out agreements, and why low-enrollment majors can put students at risk of program closures. This episode equips parents with practical tools and a new lens for evaluating colleges — so students don’t lose time, money, or momentum. A must-listen for parents who want clarity, protection, and smarter college decisions.
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