Indiana’s public colleges and universities are trimming back their degree offerings .

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced this week that six public higher education institutions have voluntarily streamlined more than 400 academic programs, either by eliminating, suspending, or consolidating them.

The move comes ahead of a new state law, House Enrolled Act 1001, which sets minimum graduate thresholds for degree programs, encouraging institutions to phase out programs with low or no student enrollment.

Governor Mike Braun praised the initiative, calling it a proactive step to increase the value of higher education. “This will help students make more informed decisions and ensure that what they’re learning connects to the skills they need most,” Braun said.

Of the roughly 2,200 degree programs across Indiana’s public institutions, about 19% were identified for action. Specifically, colleges chose to eliminate 75 programs, 68 of which had zero current enrollments. Another 101 programs were suspended, and 232 were merged or consolidated—either immediately or as part of future plans.

Indiana University is the most effected school, losing a total of 249 programs. Purdue will lose 83.

Students currently enrolled in discontinued programs will still have the opportunity to complete their degrees through what’s known as a “teach-out” plan.

Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery described the effort as a national model for aligning higher education with real-world outcomes. “This voluntary review shows our institutions are serious about quality, cost, and ensuring their programs meet both student and industry needs,” Lowery said.

After July 1, 2025, institutions will need formal approval from the state to continue offering programs that fall below the required graduate threshold.