Is Your Teen’s College Financially Safe? What Parents Must Know About College Closures and Risk
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.
Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? · Shellee Howard, Gary Stocker
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Show Notes
Key Takeaways for Parents:
Many colleges — especially small, private, non-urban schools — are under significant financial strain
Some colleges have closed with little warning, leaving students scrambling
Graduation rates below 50% are a major red flag
“Merit scholarships” are often tuition discounts, not actual awarded funds
Low-enrollment majors may be at risk of being eliminated mid-degree
Teach-out agreements exist but may transfer students to similarly struggling institutions
Financial health should be the first checkpoint when building a college list
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