Ramaswamy Doubles Down on Plan to Close ‘Subpar’ Ohio Universities
GOP gubernatorial hopeful targets Cleveland State, University of Akron, Kent State and Central State for potential closure as enrollment drops 14% statewide.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated his controversial proposal to shut down public universities he considers “subpar” during a Tuesday evening event at Ohio State University, as the state grapples with declining enrollment and an aging population.
“I don’t think you should be funding subpar universities,” Ramaswamy told a student during the Turning Point USA event when questioned about his higher education plans.
Enrollment Decline and Population Challenges
Ohio’s public universities have experienced a 14% decline in enrollment over the past decade, according to the latest data. Census information reveals the state faces an aging population while increasing numbers of students avoid college due to rising tuition costs and mounting student loan debt.
“The value of a degree is going down,” Ramaswamy said during the campus appearance, echoing sentiments from some Republican leaders who argue college education isn’t always necessary.
Specific Universities Named for Consolidation
In a March opinion piece for The Columbus Dispatch, Ramaswamy identified Cleveland State, the University of Akron, Kent State and Central State University as institutions with previous challenges that could face closure under his consolidation plan.
“We have too many of them,” Ramaswamy stated in a video posted to his Threads account. “They need to be consolidated.”
The candidate argued that colleges should not replicate each other’s programs, advocating instead for institutions to focus on their strongest offerings. “Let them excel in a couple of areas and really bring tuition” down, he said, according to the source material.
Student Concerns Over Recent Legislation
Students have been protesting at the Statehouse for years over controversial higher education reforms. Ohio Senate Bill 1 forced universities to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs while cutting courses with low enrollment numbers. The legislation has resulted in universities eliminating nearly 90 degree programs statewide.
“The best and brightest may not be attracted to what’s going on here,” said Brielle Shorter, an Ohio State University senior, expressing concerns about the state’s educational direction.
The legislation also includes provisions threatening to defund universities that fail to meet Republican compliance standards, adding pressure to institutions already facing enrollment challenges.
Ramaswamy’s consolidation proposal represents a shift in how Ohio would approach public higher education funding. His plan would prioritize what he views as the strongest academic programs while eliminating institutions he deems underperforming.
The gubernatorial candidate’s stance comes as Ohio continues to lose young residents to other states and struggles to attract new talent to reverse demographic trends affecting workforce development and economic growth.
