After more than 130 years, Labouré College of Healthcare in Milton is closing its doors and is being acquired by its neighbor, Curry College.
The merger will create one of the largest, comprehensive nursing schools in New England, offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, according to the schools.
Labouré has struggled with declining enrollment and finances and faced regulatory challenges, according to a Feb. 12 announcement from Lily Hsu, Labouré’s president.
The agreement, pending regulatory approvals, will allow many of Labouré’s programs to transfer to Curry College. Other students will be able to graduate before the institution closes Aug. 31 or transfer to other colleges.
“To our students, we know how hard you work — going to school while working, raising families and balancing so many other things in your life. This will not prevent you from reaching your goal,” Hsu said.
Labouré chose Curry because both schools prioritize affordable education for working adults and healthcare professionals.
The acquisition comes at a time when higher education faces enrollment woes, the value of higher education is scrutinized and the sticker price continues to climb.
Labouré’s enrollment has been in decline since peaking in 2020 at 1,188 students. In 2024, the college decreased to 530 students. Enrollment at Curry has also been in decline.
At the same time, there is a growing workforce shortage of nurses and other healthcare professionals in the Commonwealth.
“By creating the Labouré Center and adding Labouré’s nursing programs to Curry’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, we are furthering the sustainability of this education for the benefit of the students and for the healthcare providers in our region who desperately need these nurses,” said Jay Gonzalez, Curry’s president.
Labouré students will be able to transfer credits and complete their program under the same tuition and fees.
Curry will also honor the college by establishing the Labouré Center for Advancing Healthcare Opportunity. The center will be funded with the college’s endowment.
“For more than a century, Labouré has educated nurses and healthcare professionals to offer equitable and dignified care to the people of Massachusetts and expanded the healthcare workforce to serve communities most in need. While I no doubt share your disappointment that the college must end its academic operations, I am comforted that the Labouré mission continues and Labouré nurses will remain essential to the health and wellness of our community for years to come,” Hsu said.
