🔒2026 Economic Forecast: Community colleges step up in the higher ed industry

The higher education landscape of Central Massachusetts was dichotomous in 2025 as enrollment at community colleges soared while universities were impacted by the federal government's crackdown on immigration. Next year will see a deepening of the role community colleges play in the higher education industry.

University cutbacks

In 2025, UMass Chan Medical School and Clark University implemented hiring freezes/pauses, and the latter announced it would reduce its faculty size by up to 30%. Next year, universities will find ways to cut costs, from layoffs to degree cuts.

Renewed focus on domestic students

Trump’s attack on immigration put many Central Massachusetts students’ legal statuses in jeopardy, including at Clark University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. With institutions fiscally relying on international students, universities will find ways to make up for student losses by shifting domestic recruitment strategies and offering international remote opportunities.

Community college plays a larger role

The region’s community colleges experienced record-high headcounts in 2025. Growth is expected to remain elevated with the state’s MassReconnect and MassEducate programs, so community colleges will work to bolster wraparound services, including child care, food pantries, and transportation. Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and professional services industries.