Lourdes University, a private Franciscan institution in suburban Toledo, announced February 11, 2026, that it will permanently close at the end of the Spring 2026 semester due to what administrators described as “insurmountable financial pressures.” About 964 currently enrolled students will be impacted by the closure, which goes into effect in May 2026. They will now have to finish their degrees elsewhere using an organized teach-out plan.
The university, founded in 1958 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, will remain fully operational and accredited through commencement ceremonies in May 2026.
Lourdes University Closing This May: What Is the Reason?
Lourdes University cited three primary factors driving its permanent closure.
Declining Enrollment:
Student headcount has fallen sharply over the past 15 years. The university enrolled approximately 2,500 students in the early 2010s. By Fall 2024, total enrollment had dropped to 964 students — a decline of more than 60 percent.
Financial Deficits:
The university has been losing money for a number of years in a row. Its comparatively meager $13.6 million endowment was unable to offset continuous operating deficits. According to administrators, the financial strains were “insurmountable.”
End of Sponsorship Subsidies:
The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, who founded the university and have long subsidized its operations, stated they can no longer provide financial support at the levels required to sustain the institution. The congregation’s decision removed the final financial buffer keeping the university operational.
What Will Current Student Batches Do?
Lourdes University is implementing a comprehensive “teach-out” plan, which is an organized process used by authorized universities when they close to ensure that registered students can complete their degrees elsewhere without losing academic progress.
Primary Transfer Partner:
The University of Toledo has committed to being the principal teach-out partner. UToledo has agreed to admit all Lourdes students in good standing to associated majors. This assures that students can continue their education uninterrupted and graduate from a fully authorized public research university.
Credit Transfers:
Lourdes is actively working with several other regional academic partners to guarantee full transfer of credits. University officials stated the goal is to ensure no student loses progress toward their degree.
Ongoing Support:
- A dedicated information page is live at Lourdes.edu/closure with official updates.
- Virtual town hall meetings are scheduled for February 17, 2026 (parents) and February 18, 2026 (students).
- Academic advisors are meeting individually with students to map transfer pathways.
Will Student Degrees Be Valid?
Lourdes University has confirmed that all degrees earned before and during the Spring 2026 semester are still legitimate and legally acknowledged.
Accreditation Status:
The Higher Learning Commission has renewed the university’s full accreditation until the end of the Spring 2026 term. Degrees conferred on or before May 2026 commencement have the same legal and professional weight as degrees conferred by any other approved institution. Accreditation does not lapse retrospectively upon closure.
Current Seniors:
Students graduating in May 2026 will take part in Lourdes University’s final commencement. Their diplomas, which will be granted by an approved degree-granting school, will be permanent credentials.
Transcripts and Records:
After the university closes, student records and official transcripts are typically transferred to a designated trustee for permanent preservation. In Ohio, records are often transferred to the Ohio Department of Higher Education or a partner school. This assures that graduates always have access to verification of their degree, whether for future employment, graduate school applications, or professional license.
FAQs: Lourdes University Closure
Q: When is Lourdes University closing?
A: With final commencement ceremonies in May 2026, the university will permanently close at the conclusion of the Spring 2026 term.
Q: Why is Lourdes University closing?
A: The university cited insurmountable financial challenges, such as a drop in enrollment from 2,500 to 964 students, multi-year operating losses, a $13.6 million endowment insufficient to fund deficits, and the elimination of Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania subsidies.
Q: What happens to current students?
A: Lourdes is carrying out a teach-out plan. The University of Toledo is the key transfer partner, and it has committed to accepting all Lourdes students in good standing to associated majors.
Q: Will my Lourdes degree still be valid after the university closes?
A: Yes. The university is accredited through May 2026. Degrees earned before or during the Spring 2026 semester are fully valid and legally recognized. Accreditation does not retroactively disappear.
Q: What happens to student transcripts after closure?
A: Student records will be kept permanently. They are normally transferred to the Ohio Department of Higher Education or an approved partner school for long-term storage and access.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
