"Fontbonne University Faces Closure Due to Financial Crisis"

Fontbonne University, a 100-year-old institution in Clayton, will shut down in fall 2025 due to financial challenges, declining enrollments, and budget deficits. The 16-acre campus will be bought by Washington University, and there will be no freshman class in fall 2024. Students will be assisted with transferring to other colleges, and the campus will be leased back to Fontbonne as it winds down operations. The closure comes after years of enrollment decline, budget cuts, and the elimination of academic majors and faculty positions.