Is Your Teen’s College Financially Safe? What Parents Must Know About College Closures and Risk

Is Your Teen’s College Financially Safe? What Parents Must Know About College Closures and Risk

From Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? by Shellee Howard

February 10, 2026 · 22 min · Episode 133

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.

People in this episode

Host: Shellee Howard

Guest: Gary Stocker

Topics covered

  • college financial health
  • college closures
  • tuition discounts
  • graduation rates
  • enrollment trends
  • program closures

Keywords

  • college closures
  • financial health
  • tuition discounts
  • graduation rates
  • enrollment trends
  • program closures

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: College Viability

Places: U.S.

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