Emerson College Faces Layoffs and Budget Cuts Amid Enrollment Decline

Protests and FAFSA rollout issues cited as key factors in reduced freshman class size for 2024

Emerson College plans to lay off staff and faculty due to a significant drop in freshman enrollment.
Pro-Palestinian protests and negative media coverage have been identified as major contributors to the enrollment decline.
The botched rollout of the new FAFSA application has also delayed enrollment deposits, further impacting numbers.
The college anticipates the enrollment drop to be a one-year issue but is preparing for long-term budget adjustments.
National trends show a shift away from smaller private institutions, adding to Emerson's enrollment challenges.