Overview

• Sonoma State University will permanently end its NCAA Division II athletics program after the 2025 spring season, affecting 11 sports teams and 243 student-athletes.
• The university faces a $23.9 million budget deficit, driven by a 38% decline in enrollment since 2015 and rising operational costs.
• In addition to cutting athletics, Sonoma State will eliminate over 20 academic programs, six departments, and lay off at least 60 faculty and staff members, including tenured professors.
• University leadership cited the need to ensure long-term financial stability and adapt to changes in higher education as reasons for the drastic measures.
• Experts warn that similar financial challenges could threaten other smaller colleges and universities, particularly those with limited revenue from sports or declining enrollment.