US colleges slash majors

Christina Westman's dream of becoming a music therapist was shattered when St. Cloud State University announced it would eliminate its music department along with 42 other degree programs due to financial difficulties. This decision is part of a broader trend among U.S. colleges facing rising operational costs and diminishing federal COVID relief funds. Many students, like Westman, are left anxious and uncertain as they navigate transfers and job searches in response to these cuts. While most students will finish their degrees before the cuts take effect, Westman's major had not yet officially started, compelling her to relocate to Augsburg University. Although there have been slight enrollment gains in community colleges, four-year institutions continue to struggle with declining numbers, exacerbated by a chaotic financial aid process. The situation highlights the precarious state of higher education in America as institutions confront a new reality post-pandemic.