For-profit education

I have been hearing a lot lately about for-profit universities and now I am confused. They seem to cater to all kinds of students not just the traditional 18-to-24-year-olds but I get the impression that these kinds of schools may not have a good reputation. What is the difference between a traditional university and a for-profit university?

We have been reading and seeing a number of these stories as well and they do raise some alarming issues. On the surface, the mission of for-profit universities seems benevolent because they make higher education available to all. A mission of the current presidential administration is to create a more educated workforce and to make higher education more accessible.

But here-in lays a big part of the image problem for these institutions. Where traditional universities have certain admission requirements which might include such things as official transcripts, minimum grade point averages, academic tests and language requirements, for-profit universities open their doors to everyone.

Sounds pretty good until you look closer. There are some reports that for-profit college recruiters are going in to homeless shelters and halfway houses to lure students in with the promise of a better life and an education. The problem is that by offering financial aid to already disadvantaged individuals creates a huge burden for them when it comes time to repay. For-profit colleges are publicly traded higher education companies. Their revenue comes from federal funds. And tuition is very high.

Rates vary, but can be up to four times the cost of traditional universities.
Employers may be suspicious of a degree from a for-profit university. There can be questions of accreditation. Does the degree bring value? Is it real?

Do your homework and ask questions. As with most things in life, if earning a degree from a for-profit university sounds too good to be true, it probably is.