STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Colleges and universities across Ohio — including those serving Eastern Ohio students — are eliminating or reviewing dozens of degree programs following the implementation of Ohio Senate Bill 1.
Statewide, roughly 90 programs have been cut or are under consideration as schools respond to new requirements tied to enrollment, cost, and performance standards outlined in the law.
At Ohio University, which serves many students from the Ohio Valley, officials have announced plans to eliminate 16 degree programs as part of a broader academic restructuring. Programs reportedly on the chopping block include degrees in African American Studies, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Environmental Geography, Geological Sciences, and Classical Civilizations.
Meanwhile, Ohio State University is cutting eight programs, including comparative studies, certain foreign language majors, and smaller humanities-based degree tracks, citing low enrollment and long-term sustainability.
The new law requires universities to evaluate programs based on student demand and outcomes, while also banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and prohibiting faculty strikes. Supporters say the changes will improve efficiency and accountability, while critics argue they could limit academic freedom and reduce opportunities for students.
Although no specific program cuts have been announced at smaller regional institutions in Eastern Ohio, the ripple effects are expected to be felt locally. Schools that draw heavily from Belmont, Jefferson and Columbiana counties could see shifts in academic offerings, potentially impacting where students choose to enroll.
Education leaders say the changes may also influence workforce pipelines in the region, particularly in specialized fields that rely on smaller academic programs.
Universities are expected to continue reviewing programs in the coming months as they work to comply with the law, meaning additional cuts or consolidations could still be announced.
