7 reasons that a private college's financial viability is important to you.

7 reasons that a private college's
financial viability is important to you.

• Lost credits:  There is an almost certain risk of losing credits if you need to choose a new college.
  
• Cost of lost credits:  Take the cost of each credit hour and multiply it by the number of credits that need to be re-taken. This is a good estimate of the additional costs you may incur if a college closes and you must transfer to another college.
  
• Time lost re-taking lost credits:  Not only are there lost credits, you will need more time  to complete your degree requirements.  There is also the time lost that you could be making a higher income that a degree would normally afford you.
  
• Infrastructure & deferred maintenance:  Research shows that a financially struggling college will most typically hold off on spending money on its facilities.  Safety and comfort can be concerns for you and your family.
  
• Public uncertainty:  History suggests that financially struggling private colleges create a public perception that the college may not survive.  This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as more potential students have concerns about viability. This uncertainty could negatively impact your college experience.
  
• Faculty turnover: As with increasing public uncertainty about a college's viability, there is an increased risk that faculty will choose to move to other, potentially more secure teaching jobs.  The expectation of your favorite professor staying with a financially struggling college may not prove to always be likely.
  
• Smaller enrollment as viability concerns develop:  There tends to be a negative impact when new and current college students have reason to believe a private college may not be viable.  Smaller enrollment can lead to a college experience that is less diverse and energetic than you might have expected.