Refers to academic programs—typically degree or certificate programs—that enroll or graduate a number of students below thresholds set by a state higher education authority, system office, or institutional governing board. These thresholds are used to monitor program viability, ensure efficient use of public resources, and guide decisions about program support, consolidation, redesign, or discontinuation. While definitions vary by state, low-producing programs are commonly identified through multi-year enrollment or completion minimums (e.g., average annual graduates over a 3–5 year period). Programs flagged as low-producing often undergo a formal review process that considers workforce demand, regional needs, economic development priorities, program quality, cost, and mission alignment before any action is taken (continuation, restructuring, or closure).

Examples of State policy language:

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): A low-producing program is a degree program that “fails to meet minimum standards for numbers of graduates—typically fewer than 25 graduates over 5 years at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and fewer than 15 graduates over 5 years at the doctoral level.” Programs under review must justify continuation based on workforce need, institutional mission, or demonstrate a plan for improvement.
• Virginia State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV):  A low-producing program is one that “does not meet established productivity thresholds over a rolling 5-year period.” Bachelor’s programs are expected to produce at least 7 graduates per year (average), master’s at least 5 graduates, and doctoral programs at least 3 graduates. Programs falling below the threshold must submit a productivity review and improvement plan, merge with another program, or be phased out.
• North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS): A curriculum program is low-producing “when enrollment fails to meet viability benchmarks over a 3-year period.” Programs with fewer than 10 completions in 3 years may be recommended for termination unless the college demonstrates strong local or regional labor-market justification.
• Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE): Colorado identifies low-demand or low-productivity programs through its statutory program review process. Programs that “do not meet minimum enrollment or completion standards, or that demonstrate limited alignment with state workforce needs,” may be flagged for corrective action. Institutions must report how such programs contribute to state priorities or detail steps for improvement, consolidation, or discontinuation.
• Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE): Considers a program low-producing if it “fails to meet minimum thresholds for average annual degrees conferred over a 5-year period”—generally 10 graduates for bachelor’s programs and 5 for master’s. Programs not meeting standards undergo a review that evaluates costs, demand, duplication, and alignment with statewide strategic objectives.