CEDARVILLE, OHIO (August 20, 2025) — It’s undeniable: American colleges and universities are weathering a cultural storm. Since 2020, 79 public and private universities have either closed, merged or announced closures or mergers, affecting nearly 48,000 students, according to BestColleges.com.
The future for higher education, however, could get worse, according to The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. In a predictive modeling initiative, because of a growing lack of trust in higher education, along with declining enrollments and cultural pressure, it expects up to eighty additional colleges and universities to close within the next year due to declining student enrollment.
While not immune from the potential burst of the educational bubble, Cedarville University is positioned in a more favorable situation because of its long-standing focus on its core values — integrating biblical truth into every aspect of university life while adapting strategically to meet the needs of today's students.
Cedarville has maintained steady enrollment growth for the past sixteen years, despite the looming demographic cliff of declining student enrollment. And rather than following cultural trends, Cedarville has distinguished itself by fostering a deeply- rooted community committed to transformational development of its students through biblical integration in all aspects of the Cedarville experience.
"At Cedarville, we are not moving with the cultural winds of the day," said Dr Jeffrey Haymond, dean of the Robert W Plaster School of Business. "We mentor students spiritually and professionally. Everything we do is about cultivating and strengthening faith — that’s why we have chapel, discipleship groups, Sunday church expectations and biblical integration in every class."
This approach has not only preserved its identity but also strengthened its appeal to families seeking a college education from a biblical worldview. As a result, Cedarville has become more attractive to prospective students and their families. This focus has allowed Cedarville to double its enrollment from just over 3,000 students in 2010 to nearly 6,500 this past year.
Fundraising remains another major hurdle in higher education today, with many universities facing donor skepticism and shrinking contributions.
At Cedarville, meanwhile, the university is closing its most ambitious fundraising campaign in university history — the $175 million One Thousand Days Transformed campaign.
“He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much,” Haymond remarked, citing Cedarville’s success in funding the $175 million One Thousand Days Transformed Campaign.
Through this initiative, Cedarville has built eight new buildings, including the $40 million Scharnberg Business and Communication Center and $36 million Diehl-Johnson-Phipps-Murdoch residence hall, both opened in 2024. In two years, the $37 million Bolthouse Academic Center will open as a home for programs including education, psychology, English, and modern languages.
Looking ahead, Cedarville continues to adapt to a rapidly-changing world, recognizing that innovation and technological literacy are crucial for future success. The university is actively engaging with market trends and workforce needs, including the growing importance of artificial intelligence. Understanding the importance of staying current with academic trends and needs, Cedarville will launch six new AI-focused academic programs in the 2025-26 academic year that begins in August.
Further innovation is also reflected in Cedarville’s proposed major in entrepreneurship and innovation, which is currently pending state approval. Meanwhile, the university’s finance major has seen substantial growth, demonstrating that students and parents alike value a return on their educational investment not only financially but spiritually.
As Cedarville University looks to the future, it embraces a Christ-centered approach that prioritizes faithfulness in the present. In times of uncertainty, the university encourages students to trust God fully, focusing not on tomorrow’s worries but on living each day in a manner worthy of their calling.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
