Indiana’s public universities cutting, merging nearly 600 degree options

Indiana’s public universities are eliminating or combining hundreds of degree programs after a state review found many had little or no student interest.

State officials will cut and merge nearly 600 degree options following a review of more than 1,000 programs.

The changes come under a 2025 law requiring schools to meet enrollment benchmarks over three years or face possible elimination, The College Fix reported.

Many of the programs had almost no students. Fifty had zero enrollment.

While the changes affect many programs, the impact on students appears limited. A small share of students participated in the programs under review, and an even smaller share were enrolled in the programs the state eliminated.

State officials say the move is about accountability and ensuring students receive degrees offering positive returns on investment.

“Students and their families invest significant time, money, and trust into postsecondary education, and they deserve confidence that programs are viable, aligned with student interests and workforce needs, and positioned to deliver real outcomes,” Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said in a release.

Jenner added the goal is to bring greater clarity and direction to higher education offerings across the state.

“By right-sizing degree pathways across the state, we can continue to strengthen higher education in Indiana through increased transparency and improved alignment with student interests and real career opportunities,” she said.

Some universities will not eliminate programs but will combine them into broader degrees.

Ball State University, for example, will fold its mathematics education degrees into a general math major. Purdue University Fort Wayne will merge assorted social science studies into a single degree program.

Supporters say these steps could help prevent waste and ensure students receive degrees that prepare them for jobs.

“Although accountability can sometimes cause discomfort, when employed appropriately, there is no better tool to drive good outcomes,” Purdue University provost Patrick Wolfe wrote in support of the changes.

Some faculty members argued the moves reflect a shift toward treating universities as businesses rather than institutions focused on learning.

However, others acknowledged low enrollment may signal other problems.

“Low enrollment is a sign that something about the teaching is not working,” Indiana University faculty representative Edward Castronova said.

The review allowed hundreds of programs to continue, including newer fields still building interest, such as cybersecurity and media studies.

The changes come as more states take a closer look at whether colleges are offering too many degrees with little demand or limited value.