The Loss of Institutional Knowledge and Capital: The End of Notre Dame College

Notre Dame College of Ohio was a staple in South Euclid Ohio for over 100 years, starting as a women’s training college and moving to a college helping local disadvantaged students experience a place of higher learning, closed in May 2024. Over a century of learning in their hallowed halls, students no longer sit in the classroom and venture the grounds. This tale of a small college closure is a growing trend throughout the United States. Small cities are having to grapple with the loss of their hometown institutions. Not only are the students left with limited options for continuing their education, but the parcels of land and surrounding areas are also experiencing the loss of students and cities are grappling with issues of job and tax loss. Now the City of South Euclid must pivot to make up the economic impact the closure of Notre Dame College is causing. Utilizing IMPLAN and the Center for Economic Development, this paper examines the economic impact of the closure of Notre Dame College on South Euclid, the undeniable trend of small college closures throughout the country, and the lasting impacts of these closures.