Universities See More Qualified Applicants In Economic Downturn

With many universities freezing hiring, those that are filling jobs are seeing better applicant pools.

Sinking endowments and rising interest rates have been squeezing universities. Many here have put hiring on hold until things get better.

But Northeastern University is filling dozens of jobs. With less competition, it’s seeing many more applications. Same thing at Bridgewater State. Provost Howard London is impressed with the quality of the applicant pool at his college.

"Very bright, energetic people from around the country," London says.

London says it has gotten hard for the college to decide between very qualified finalists. He calls that a good problem to have.