The Indicator from Planet Money · September 10, 2026 · 8m

Are small town colleges going extinct?

The Indicator examines a concerning entry from the latest Federal Reserve Beige Book that highlights a troubling development in higher education. The report points to significant challenges facing small town colleges, sparking a discussion about whether they are at risk of extinction. The episode explores the regional economic factors behind this trend.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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Beige Book Entry Highlights Higher Education Crisis

The latest Federal Reserve Beige Book includes a troubling anecdotal entry about the state of higher education, particularly affecting small town colleges.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Small Town College Extinction Question

The episode asks whether small town colleges are going extinct, prompted by the troubling data in the Beige Book.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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