Penn State proposes to close seven campuses, Penn State Abington and Brandywine to remain open

Pennsylvania State University officials are seeking to close seven of the institution’s commonwealth campuses at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, the University announced. 

The campuses up for closing include DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre and York.

Penn State Abington and Penn State Brandywine were not listed in the announcement and will remain open.

To continue operating, the campuses would require $40 million annually in financial support and overhead expenses and a $200 million investment in facilities — ″resources that could be redirected to enhance and strengthen the campuses that remain,” the recommendation report said.

Penn State has published the recommendation report regarding the future of the Commonwealth Campuses that President Neeli Bendapudi shared with the Board of Trustees. The document was shared with the board late last month to provide its members with time to review and discuss the recommendation in advance of a yet-to-be-scheduled public meeting to vote on the matter. It was not previously shared publicly because the recommendation is not final until the board votes on it, however, the University has learned that the document has been leaked to members of the media.

“I am truly sorry that our community is learning of the recommendation through media coverage, rather than hearing about it with additional context directly from me or the board,” said Bendapudi. “I understand the concern this will cause on our campuses until the decision is finalized — during an already distressing time for those who may be affected. I believe the recommendation balances our need to adapt to the changing needs of Pennsylvania with compassion for those these decisions affect, both within Penn State and across the commonwealth, in part because of the two-year period before any campus would close. As we work through the next steps, we will be taking steps to support every student in any needed transition and, we will take every step to provide opportunities to faculty and staff to remain part of Penn State.”

The University planned to provide additional information and other support options for students, faculty and staff when the plans are finalized.

These plans include, for students:

• Every student who begins a degree at a closing campus will have the opportunity to complete their degree at Penn State.
• Each impacted student will receive personalized guidance and advising so that they clearly understand degree completion options, timelines, and pathways to other Penn State campuses, including online options through Penn State World Campus.
• Because of the two-year period until campuses close, all current or admitted students at closing campuses will have the opportunity to complete associate degree coursework there.
• Bachelor’s degree students can continue at the campus where they are enrolled through the 2026-27 academic year. Depending on the number of credits needed and other degree requirements, they may be able to complete their degrees at that location or transition to another campus.
• Penn State will admit student applicants and transfers at all campuses for the fall 2025 semester. The University will not accept student applicants or transfers at closing campuses for beyond fall 2025.
  
  

For faculty and staff:

• The University will support our Commonwealth Campus faculty and staff throughout this transition.
• Penn State will honor tenure and non-tenure-line contracts.
• For tenure-line (those who are tenured as well as those in their probationary period) faculty at closing campuses, the University will offer need-driven reassignments to remaining campuses, including Commonwealth Campuses and University Park.
• For impacted non-tenure-line and staff employees, the University will offer priority hiring consideration for those applying to open roles across all Penn State locations. The University will do all it can to support employees who want to continue their careers at Penn State.