The University of Iowa is taking a closer look at its undergraduate programs with low enrollment to ensure they meet the current educational and workforce demands. This initiative aims to align the university’s offerings with student interests and its broader educational mission.
This review stems from the Iowa Board of Regents’ 2025 Workforce Alignment Review of Programs Report, which highlighted undergraduate majors with fewer than 25 students across regent universities for further evaluation.
Under the guidance of the Office of the Provost, this review will utilize the latest data to examine enrollment patterns and trends for the identified programs. In addition to enrollment figures, considerations will include licensure or accreditation requirements, the program’s contribution to other study areas, faculty resources, and the program’s inception date.
Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost, emphasized the importance of this review, stating, “This is the right time to take a careful look at these programs. We are seeing record levels of student interest at Iowa, and it’s important that we use our administrative and instructional resources where they will have the greatest impact.”
Should the review find that certain programs lack long-term viability or sufficient student interest, the university may recommend their closure. Any proposed changes will adhere to Iowa Board of Regents policy and require board approval. After reviewing the undergraduate programs identified in the workforce alignment report, the Office of the Provost plans to collaborate with collegiate and campus partners to evaluate other low-enrollment programs as part of an ongoing assessment process.
Regular, Student-Focused Program Planning
The University of Iowa routinely evaluates its academic programs to ensure they align with student interests and changing workforce needs. Since 2015, the Board of Regents has sanctioned the closure of 37 university programs, often as part of efforts to enhance academic alignment and operational efficiency.
Aligning programs with student demand helps the university enhance the student experience and allocate resources to academic areas with increased interest and clearer career pathways.
“Academic programs evolve over time, and this process helps make sure they are keeping pace with student interest,” Kregel noted. “By regularly assessing our offerings, we can better support students’ goals and the academic areas where they are choosing to invest their time.”
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