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Fitch issues deteriorating outlook for US HE in 2026: Heres why mergers and closures may rise

Fitch Ratings has issued a deteriorating outlook for the US higher education (HE) sector in 2026, citing a shrinking student pipeline, rising costs, and federal funding uncertainty, as quoted by the Higher Ed Dive. Domestic high school graduates are expected to decline, while international enrolment may fall due to tighter visa rules under President Trump. Colleges face strained revenue growth, and the pace of mergers and closures is likely to remain elevated, affecting both two-year and four-year institutions.