By Emma Johnson in Campus News, College Days, Student Life on April 5, 2025
Despite low enrollment, current endowment highlights strong future for Ripon
With the recent announcement that Ripon College will open its doors to Northland College students for 100% of the closing college credits, Ripon College is among a cohort of smaller, more populated liberal arts colleges that are moving to protect themselves from closure. Despite the trends of liberal arts schools closing in the nation, experts, however, see signs that Ripon College is better positioned to weather the current situation than some of its peers.
The private liberal arts college, Northland College, and its Board of Trustees announced on Feb. 19 that it voted unanimously to close Northland College at the end of the current academic year. In some ways, Northland College is not unlike Ripon College. Both enrollments had fewer than 700 and a lowering of majors offered. Comparisons have been made by students between Ripon College and Northland College, with growing fears about a potential closing given the similarities.
Some thoughts conveyed on anonymous posts on YikYak were “What’s next for Ripon #thenextNorthland?” and “I can’t have Ripon close, this is literally my only education path guys”.
“The idea that Ripon could close is a scary thought because there are so many liberal arts schools that offer amazing opportunities,” freshman John Kakuzi said. “[Liberal arts] have great teacher-student relationship qualities that I feel we [students] don’t get at bigger colleges. Smaller schools and moreso liberal arts provide more opportunities for students who might not excel in those bigger schools.”
Hundreds of students fill the sidewalks outside the Great Hall at Ripon College, creating a bustling atmosphere throughout the day. Photo courtesy of Ric Damm.
And this fear is warranted for students across the nation. According to Gary Stocker, founder of College Viability, plenty of schools have faced difficult times after the coronavirus pandemic in 2019-2021.
“You [Ripon College] are not in a unique situation,” Stocker said. “There are many colleges across the country that are struggling some way or another… but you don’t have anything to worry about when looking at other liberal arts schools that have closed down, and Ripon. [Ripon College] is doing OK for right now.”
He pointed out that notable distinctions can be observed between the soon-to-be-closed Northland and Ripon College. One major difference is the form of endowments and their impact on the financial stability of the college. As reported in March 2024, Northland needed 12 million dollars to stay open for another year. Ripon College, on the other hand, has been able to raise over 75 million dollars in the Forever Ripon Campaign in the pursuit of remodeling certain parts of the college, which includes but is not limited to Hopp Stadium, Franzen Center, residence halls, and more.
In reports from President Vicki Folse Ripon College, the total value of endowment fees from the Forever Ripon Campaign to date, including grants, is $119,144,326.49. The current remaining balance for pledge balances is $17,918,222.19.
However, there is more than just renovating buildings that secure the future of Ripon; it lies with the current plans in place and the promising future of more enrollment in the Class of 2029. Interim Associate Vice President for Recruitment Strategy Greg King made note of how the future is looking more promising for reaching that goal of 1,000 students on campus.
“Currently we are seeing the numbers for enrollment increase upward beyond what we have seen in the last six years [in relation to the Class of 2029],” King said. “Through deposits, we can make an accurate guess at the incoming class size … but we also want to keep our focus on what the students want here on campus to make their four years enjoyable and worthwhile. We always welcome student feedback, and that is what allows us to continue our mission of making Ripon a place that attracts high schoolers and transfers.”