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For-Profit Colleges Must Crack Down on Predatory Practices

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I attended a "non-profit" private university for a graduate degree. I soon came to realize that their practices are similar, if not worse, than the for-profits, because they are more covert in their shady lending practices. They are basically fake non-profits, that just spend the money they make,pay themselves a pretty penny to remain on non-profit status, and rake in government loan money to enroll students who have no business in graduate school, let alone high school. The doctorate programs are in some ways the worst, they are 4+ years of high tuition income, that places huge burdens on their graduates to repay. Sure, not all non-profits Universities are bad, but I would say that the ones that are bad are worse. For example, my program convinced students that 25000K a year plus living expenses (in grad plus and fed loans) was a good deal, for a school in an office suite with no services. I suppose what I am trying to say is that there needs to be better quality assurance checks on schools, not only for-profits, but all schools. They should have to prove that their degrees and graduates have a better than average chance of repaying loans in a timely manner based on a public monetary evaluation of the degrees granted. Many programs (non-profits) have car salesman like recruitments, I later found out that my program accepted 75% or more of applicants for doctorate program (of course the programs are mandated to report this data to public). Compare this to about 5% accepted to a UC doctorate program. This should be outlawed because students get in, are not bright enough to finish, and schools profit all along the way, or worse, in my program where faculty would essentially do the dissertations for students, to keep their enrollment quota's up. I am embarrassed, broke, and without a recognized degree with earning power, because I had to find out the hard way what these schools are doing. Enough is enough, we need to standardize outcome data for each program, including graduate earnings and employment numbers in their fields, and force schools to justify costs in annual reports viewable by the public.
Just my thoughts on the matters
-Mike

Mike of CA 5:17AM October 20, 2012

FACT: Even the most cursory examination of data from the Center for Responsive Politics reveals that many top nonprofit universities outspent the most vilified for-profits during this period. The Apollo Group, for example, doesn't even crack the top seven in higher education lobbying spending when nonprofits are included. All in all, thirteen NON PROFIT institutions spent more than $1 million in lobbying from 2010-2011, seven of whom were public systems funded with state tax dollars. The biggest spender during this period was the State University of New York (SUNY) system, clocking in with a cool $1.7 million in 2010 alone - outspending industrial leaders like Sunoco ($1.12 million), the Motion Picture Association of America ($1.66 million), and Continental Airlines ($1.65 million). The SUNY system retains the well-known firm Akin Gump to do much of its D.C. lobbying, the same guys that represent Dow Chemical, Shell Oil, and Boeing. If we go back to 2008, the picture becomes even clearer. Of the twenty higher education organizations with the highest lobbying totals, just two are for-profit colleges. Ten are public university systems, with SUNY ($6.05 million), the University of Texas ($3.52 million), and the University of Colorado ($3.07 million) topping the list. Smaller, prestigious nonprofit universities like Boston University ($3.6 million) and Johns Hopkins ($3.46 million) more thaWith all eyes on for-profits, we lose sight of the fact that the weaknesses in our higher education system are not unique to a particular tax status.
The for-profits didn't invent higher education lobbying. They simply learned from the best: America's beloved public and nonprofit universitiesn hold their own with the large public systems.

Mike Cameron of AK 10:58PM May 09, 2012

I guess NO MORE do STUDENTS sign contracts to get student loans AND PROMISE TO PAY. SURELY student credit record is still ruined if in default. STUDENTS don't TACK ON other expenses such as living expenses, cars, etc.. Surprised when bill comes due even if you don't graduate or picked major NOT HOT in the market place. Have grades to attract employers.
For some time student loans in default has been MAJOR ISSUE. Paying loan has nothing to do with your ability to secure a job. Collateral needed for these loans to insure pay back in the future must be looked at. Too many college student are not mature.
Recessions are a common occurrence. On link was mentioned bailing out Wall Street. Most TARP LOANS paid back WITH HIGH INTEREST. Not forgiven loans...

Bill Hedges of MO 6:03PM May 08, 2012

Wow, awesome article... I started a petition after being targeted by Argosy University. Please sign and pass along my petition.
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-argosy-university-seattle-to-refund-gi-bill-dollars

sonorra of WA 3:13PM May 08, 2012

A bachelor's degree with a certificate in IT (PMP, Agile, BA, or pure Development Skill) will get you a great job. The facts speak for themselves. Focus on the programs from a school versus the school. Ok? There are good ones and bad ones. That applies to any industry.
http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Software-Developer-I-Salary-Details.aspx

JEMSS of CO 2:52PM May 08, 2012

I don't see public colleges and universities out there trying to enroll veterans? why not?
why would for-profit schools venture into this business and the public colleges, even community colleges, seemingly shun it?

John of TX 6:36PM May 07, 2012