| The For-Profit Schools (University of Phoenix, Strayer | | | | these colleges work with the company's training |
| University, Capella University, Kaplan University, | | | | department to evaluate corporate classes into college |
| Northcentral University, etc.) continue to be very | | | | credits. |
| popular choices for adult learners. University of | | | | 3) Customer Service. If a request for information is |
| Phoenix is now approaching 500,000 students (online | | | | sent to a for-profit school, a representative will call or |
| and on-campus), equaling the number of students | | | | email that prospective client back immediately. This |
| attending all California State Universities. | | | | may not be the case with local state or private |
| The For-Profit universities attract working | | | | schools. Some state schools' departmental budgets |
| professionals with tuition assistance programs (TAP) | | | | have been so severely cut that there is no money |
| at their companies. These TAP programs reimburse | | | | for personnel to call back inquiries or answering |
| part or all their employees' education. However, the | | | | general questions. Also part of customer service is to |
| For-Profits also attract military personnel, new college | | | | make it very easy for prospective students to enroll. |
| students and other adult learners. | | | | Some for-profits assist in obtaining former transcripts. |
| WHY? Generally, for-profits are more expensive than | | | | Most of these schools do not require an admission |
| local state colleges. These schools are generally not | | | | test. |
| considered "prestigious" universities and are not listed | | | | 4) Shorter Path to Graduation. For-profit schools |
| as "Top Schools" by US News and World Report or | | | | have options for gaining credits for life and work |
| Business Week. Rarely do their academic | | | | experience and ways to help adult learners finish their |
| departments gain departmental accreditation. | | | | degrees faster. There are accelerated programs, |
| So, what makes For-Profit Colleges so popular? Here | | | | online classes, and hybrid courses (online plus a few |
| are some main reasons: | | | | on-campus meetings). The schools provide options |
| 1) Advertising. These schools have money to put ads | | | | for assessing life/work experience, testing out of |
| in magazines, newspapers, radio and even TV. The | | | | classes or easy ways for military personnel to move |
| advertising touts these schools as "the best" or "one | | | | their military classes and training into college credits. |
| of the best". Any Internet search on "online schools", | | | | Walmart recently selected American Public University, |
| "top accredited schools" or "best MBA programs" will | | | | an online, for-profit university as their educational |
| show these For-Profit Schools in the listings. | | | | partner. APU was selected over other online schools, |
| Prospective students may not realize that the school | | | | state universities and more prestigious schools |
| shows up because the school has PAID to show up | | | | because of the discounts, the ability to assess |
| on the lists. | | | | corporate credits, and the customer service promises. |
| 2) Marketing. The For-Profits do a good job working | | | | State schools and non-profit private schools are |
| with corporations to obtain corporate/university | | | | taking another look at their advertising, marketing, |
| partnerships. With these partnerships, the company | | | | customer service and programs to see how they |
| gains discounted tuition for their employees. Some of | | | | might compete in the future. |