The only predominantly Black university in Indiana is shutting down, as of early January.
Martin University — a historically Black institution and Black-founded, but not officially classified as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) due too its founding date — will close after almost 50 years in operation. The primary reason is financial instability, stemming from declining enrollment and reduced funding.
“Without an endowment and given today’s political climate around higher education funding,this financial model is simply not sustainable,” the Board of Trustees said when announcing the decision. The Higher Learning Commission recommended closure by late December 2025, and Martin complied.
The school relied heavily on external funding to support student financial aid, as many students couldn’t afford full tuition. However, it faced difficulties securing these funds. As a notable example, Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s proposed budget cuts to DEI-support programs and the exclusion of Martin University resulted in a loss of millions in anticipated funds, crucial for the university’s operation, according to Complex.
Founded in 1977 by Boniface Hardin and Jane Edward Schilling, the university was established to address the need for educational opportunities and overcome racial polarization in Indianapolis. It was also dedicated to serving low-income, first-generation, and non-traditional learners through its undergraduate and graduate programs.
“Martin University’s primary focus has always been on providing its students with an outstanding education and hiring the moast qualified and talented faculty and staff possible,” Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph Perkins told The Edu Ledger in December 2025. “A primary need of Martin’s is for more community support,” he continued, specifically funding for first-generation students. This support never materialized. Some current students are now facing uncertainty, though nearby institutions like University of Indianapolis and Marian University have offered options for credit transfer.
Financial struggles are increasingly common in higher education. Over 100 colleges have merged or closed since 2016 due to declining enrollment and financial pressures. HBCUs have been disproportionately affected by these challenges. These schools are historically underfunded and face additional headwinds, including attacks on higher education and proposed defunding efforts by the president, as reported by the Times and the New Yorker.
“The closing of our doors does not erase the impact of this institution,nor the community that built it,” the Board added in a statement regarding Martin’s closure. “We recognize the passion, grief, and even anger being expressed within the community.”
