Lackawanna College & Peirce College

A: As leaders in higher education, we are always looking for ways to improve and to evolve, to meet the changing needs of our students, and expand our programming, degrees and locations. Lackawanna College and Peirce College share similar visions of a world in which individuals from all walks of life can access the education and resources they need to pursue a greater future and transform their lives. Our decision to merge is based on our shared foundational belief that like-minded institutions with similar missions are better and stronger together. Together, we can and will provide more flexible, accessible, affordable, high-quality education throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond. 

A: Once finalized, Peirce College will become part of Lackawanna College.  Until the required legal/regulatory approvals of the merger are received, we will each continue to operate independently. We will share more details on how all that will roll out in the coming months. 

Yes.  One of the most visible direct results of the merger is that Peirce’s current location in Center City Philadelphia will become part of Lackawanna College.  Another is that this will solidify Lackawanna as the largest private non-profit open enrollment institution in Pennsylvania, significantly expanding our already-robust presence both geographically and programmatically to serve over 8,000 students annually in eight locations, through our combined academic offerings, including master’s, bachelor’s, associate’s, certificates and pre-college programs. 

It has long been our strategy to expand our geographic footprint to the Greater Philadelphia region, improve our online infrastructure, and offer graduate programs. By combining our resources with Peirce’s, we have the opportunity to make those goals a reality much sooner, and to introduce our very successful pre-college program to high schools across Philadelphia, generating pathways to a broad spectrum of higher education programs, everything from certificates in specialized studies to undergraduate and master’s degrees, on-ground and online.  All at substantial cost-savings to Philadelphia students and their families. 

A: The Boards of Trustees of both Lackawanna College and Peirce College signed a definitive agreement to merge. In higher education, significant regulatory processes must be completed before any merger is final. The term “pending” means that both institutions await completion and final approvals of the legal/ regulatory processes. Until then, we are required to operate as separate and independent institutions while continuing to plan our integration, and an even brighter collective future. We hope for all approvals – and a grand celebration of our combination – some time in 2025. 

A: The merger process is underway. Once all regulatory requirements of the U.S. and PA Departments of Education and Middle States, are completed, presumably by June 2025, the formal legal merger can take place. 

A:  Although fiscal sustainability is certainly a key criteria for any merger, that was not our primary motivation in considering Peirce as a merger partner.  Our focus was on the unique strategic growth opportunity this merger provides, enabling us to grow our offerings, geographic footprint, and target market.

A: Students currently enrolled at both colleges will see no immediate change to their enrollment or academic opportunities. Lackawanna and Peirce will continue to operate as separate academic institutions while the merger awaits final approval from the U.S. Department of Education. Once the merger is finalized, students will have even more opportunities with expanded programming that ranges from stackable certificates and bachelor’s-to-master’s pathways to graduate programs offered both in-person and online. For Peirce students, the transition will be completely seamless. 

A: Lackawanna and Peirce have many similarities, one being how comparable our costs for students have always been. Current students at both Lackawanna and Peirce will see no immediate change in their tuition based on the merger. Students who enroll following the merger approval would be under Lackawanna’s tuition structure, which is one of the most affordable in the state.

A: Scholarships will not be affected by the merger. Lackawanna and Peirce students on scholarship who continue to meet their scholarship requirements will continue to receive financial aid from their respective institutions. Once the merger is complete, future and prospective students will be eligible for scholarships from Lackawanna College. 

A: Students graduating prior to approved integration of our institutions will graduate from the college in which they originally enrolled. Lackawanna students will graduate with a degree from Lackawanna College, and likewise for Pierce students. For students who graduate after full integration of the two colleges, all transcripts and degrees will be from Lackawanna. 

A: Once the merger is approved, Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray will remain president and head a combined leadership team that includes members of both Lackawanna’s and Peirce’s current leadership teams. In addition, the new Lackawanna Board of Trustees will include three current members of the Peirce Board of Trustees. 

A: We want everyone to have their voices heard, and there will be opportunities to have your questions answered. As we progress with the integration, communication will be shared with staff, faculty and students regularly.  In the meantime, students may reach out to the Student Success department with specific questions.