Anna Maria College in Massachusetts to close after spring semester: “We are deeply, genuinely sorry”
Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts announced Thursday it will soon close, citing “years of financial pressure.”
“It is with profound grief that we write today to tell you that Anna Maria will cease academic operations at the end of our Spring 2026 Semester,” president Sean Ryan and the Board of Trustees said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education issued a notice saying that Anna Maria may not have “sufficient resources” to stay open through the next academic year.
“No viable path forward”
There are about 1,400 undergraduate at the private Catholic college that was founded in 1946.
“The decision reflects years of financial pressure that we were ultimately unable to overcome, and the honest recognition that continuing would not be responsible to the students, faculty, and staff who depend on us,” the college said. “We tried to find a way. We are grateful to everyone who tried alongside us. And we are deeply, genuinely sorry we found no viable path forward.”
The school told WBZ-TV just over a week ago that it was “reviewing every option available” and had recently received an anonymous $5 million donation. It also said enrollment indicators for Fall 2026 had “shown some movement in a positive direction.”
Regis College to help Anna Maria students
Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts announced that it would help support students who are unable to finish their degrees due to Anna Marie’s shutdown.
“In moments like this, our responsibility as institutions of higher education is clear: to support students’ ability to complete their degree program,” Regis College President Antoinette Hays said in a statement. “Students impacted by this decision should know that they are welcome at Regis College.”
Students are able to pursue several degrees at Regis, including “business administration, communication studies, criminal justice, data analytics, digital marketing, early childhood education, early childhood education (preK-2), elementary education, English, exercise science, health administration, health sciences, history, liberal studies, marketing communications, nursing (first and second year students – prior to starting the nursing program), nursing online RN to BS, prelaw, psychology, social work and sport management.
Graduate students can pursue degrees in counseling psychology, special education, elementary education, MSW, and MBA at Regis as well.
Regis said they hope to help students transition smoothly into the new degrees and will provide personalized advising and support services to students impacted by Anna Maria’s closure. Regis will also maintain all academic records for Anna Marie so that students can access transcripts and other documents, including degree confirmations.
Regis is over 40 miles from Anna Maria.
Smaller colleges facing challenges
Another small liberal arts college in Massachusetts, Hampshire College in Amherst, announced last week that it was closing permanently amid financial struggles.
Higher education reporter Jon Marcus told WBZ-TV recently that small colleges across the country that rely on tuition and lack large endowments are struggling with a “demographic cliff,” and “Anna Maria is precisely the kind of college that is in trouble.”
“We here in New England are oversaturated with these kinds of small colleges. It’s been a source of pride, but now it’s a source a vulnerability because they’re really an important part of our economy here,” Marcus said.
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