Boston University has agreed to enter into formal discussions with Wheelock College, with the goal of merging Wheelock with Boston University. Wheelock College is a private college known for its focus on education and located on the Riverway, about one mile from the Charles River Campus.

Officials at both institutions have issued the statement below and are unable to provide additional specifics about a potential merger at this time.

Joint Statement from Boston University and Wheelock College

Boston University and Wheelock College have entered into formal discussions about a possible merger of Wheelock College with Boston University.

Wheelock College is a private college composed of three schools, focused on education, social work, and arts and sciences, with a mission dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. Currently it enrolls approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, housing many of them on its campus. Boston University is a major private research university with approximately 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students and is composed of 17 schools and colleges, including leading programs in education and social work. The campuses of the two institutions are less than one mile apart. Both schools have historically strong ties to the Boston Public School system and to the City of Boston.

Over the upcoming weeks the leadership of Boston University and Wheelock College will be working with our faculties and our academic and administrative leaders to shape the vision of our merged academic units and services. We believe the merger will enhance Boston University’s programs, as well as preserve the mission of Wheelock College to improve the lives of children and families.

The discussions between the two institutions come at a time when the higher education landscape, particularly small private colleges, is adapting to pressure from declining enrollment, tightening budgets, and increasing tuition costs.