A University Spent Lavishly to Attract Students. Enrollment Fell.

For years, West Virginia University, a state flagship, poured money into gleaming new research facilities and dormitories to attract new students. It had to borrow money to do so. The university now faces a huge deficit and major cuts. It's a problem facing many major public universities, as WSJ’s Melissa Korn explains.  Further Reading: -West Virginia University Banked on Growth. It Backfired.  -Colleges Urged to Produce Better Information on How They Spend Money  -Colleges Spend Like There’s No Tomorrow. ‘These Places Are Just Devouring Money.’  Further Listening: -Wesleyan’s President on Admissions Post-Affirmative Action  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices