Several accredited and historic seminaries have closed or significantly downsized in recent years due to financial pressures, declining enrollment, and shifting religious landscapes. Notable recent closures include New York Theological Seminary (2024), Alliance University/Alliance Theological Seminary (2023), and the relocation or sale of many regional campus locations, such as Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s Illinois campus merging into a new entity. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Recently Closed or Merged Seminaries [1]

• New York Theological Seminary (NYTS): Closed effective July 1, 2024, after accreditation issues and financial probation.
• Alliance Theological Seminary (ATS/Alliance University): Closed, with operations ceasing in 2023 after a long financial crisis.
• Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield Campus): Announced in April 2025 a merger with Trinity Western University, ending operations at its Illinois campus.
• Andover Newton Theological School: Closed its campus in 2017 to affiliate with Yale Divinity School after centuries of operation. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Downsized or Restructured Institutions [1]

• Fuller Theological Seminary: Closed three of its eight satellite campuses in 2018.
• Gateway Seminary: Sold its Bay Area campus in 2019.
• Luther Seminary: Began a process to divest from its physical campus and move to a smaller, “nimble” model.
• Hebrew Union College: Ending its full-residency rabbinical program by 2026, consolidating campuses. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Common Reasons for Closures