Lourdes University in Ohio to Permanently Close

Franciscan liberal arts school cites financial pressures as reason for shutdown

Feb. 11, 2026 at 3:47pm

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Lourdes University, a private Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts school in Sylvania, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo, has announced it will permanently close at the end of the current academic year. The university's Board of Trustees cited an unsustainable financial model as the reason for the closure.

Why it matters

The closure of Lourdes University represents the latest in a series of small, private liberal arts colleges that have struggled with declining enrollment and financial pressures in recent years. This trend has led to numerous campus shutdowns across the country, impacting local communities and reducing educational options for students.

The details

Lourdes University, located in Sylvania, Ohio, is a private Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts school that has operated for decades. In its announcement, the university's Board of Trustees stated that the school's current financial model is no longer sustainable, leading to the difficult decision to permanently close the institution at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.

  • Lourdes University announced the closure on February 11, 2026.
  • The university will permanently close at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.

The players

Lourdes University

A private Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts school located in Sylvania, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo.

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The takeaway

The closure of Lourdes University reflects the ongoing challenges facing small, private liberal arts colleges, as they grapple with declining enrollment and financial pressures. This trend has led to the shuttering of numerous campuses across the country, reducing educational options for students and impacting local communities.