Colleges Facing Closure May Get Relief Through Easier Mergers

The US Department of Education wants to grease the wheels for college mergers and acquisitions, a rare Trump administration proposal with broad support from university leaders who see the policy helping the sector withstand a wave of financial distress.

The agency aims to expedite and simplify M&A reviews within the next year, according to Under Secretary Nicholas Kent, the top federal official overseeing higher education.

A soon-to-close transaction underscores how drawn out the timeline can be: Northeastern University’s purchase of Marymount Manhattan College is expected to get final approval next month, more than two years after the initial announcement. ...