Likely Apple is reducing the laptop lineup because they aren't selling enough. Although they have been great machines (I still use a Pro every day) they are not competitively priced. Especially for a student, a laptop at roughly half the price for enough comparative capabilities is a much better selection. For hardcore software development and graphics work, a Dell XPS is also roughly half the price. The display performance may not quite compare to the Pro but the price difference is huge.

Reducing the line up indicates to me that Apple recognizes they are not competitive in this market and they are pulling out. Apple's business focus has been and continues to go in other directions.