
4 Risks Of For-Profit Universities
Est. Reading Time: 2 Minutes
Though for-profit universities can be an excellent fit for some students, these institutions are widely criticized due to the many risks associated with attending them. If you are considering a for-profit university for graduate school, it is extremely important that you are aware of the risks of for-profit universities.
According to TheBestSchools.org, for-profit universities are “institutions of higher education owned and operated by private, profit-seeking businesses.” This means that an individual or group of shareholders owns the institution, and profits are directly linked to that ownership.
This is different than a non-profit institution, where non-profits are not owned by an individual or group of shareholders, and “any profits made by a non-profit school or organization must be reinvested back into or held by the organization itself.”
To help you understand the possible downsides and risks of for-profit universities, four common problems are outlined below:
If you are considering attending a for-profit university for grad school, take time to thoroughly research, assess, and address these risks. Making an informed decision is key before beginning any graduate degree, but this is especially true if you are considering the for-profit route.
Est. Reading Time: 4 Minutes
You might have seen for-profit institutions in quite a few headlines over the years. What’s all the fuss? Though for-profit universities can be an excellent fit for some students, these institutions are widely criticized due to the many risks associated with attending them.
This article will discuss the four risks commonly associated with attending for-profit universities.
According to TheBestSchools.org, for-profit colleges are “institutions of higher education owned and operated by private, profit-seeking businesses.” This means that an individual or group of shareholders owns the institution, and profits are directly linked to that ownership.
This is different than a non-profit institution, where non-profits are not owned by an individual or group of shareholders, and “any profits made by a non-profit school or organization must be reinvested back into or held by the organization itself.”
For-profit schools are subject to criticism primarily due to the nature of how profits are handled. If you are considering a for-profit university for graduate school, it is extremely important that you are aware of the risks of attending this kind of institution.
To help you understand the possible downside associated with for-profits, four common problems are outlined below:
If you are considering attending a for-profit university for grad school, take time to thoroughly research, assess, and address these risks. Making an informed decision is key before beginning any graduate degree, but this is especially true if you are considering the for-profit route.
Regardless of what a graduate degree looks like for you, make sure you are selecting a school that prioritizes your success as a student!
Despite bad press and a poor reputation, not all for-profit universities are terrible and corrupt! Certain programs can absolutely be the right fit for students, and should ultimately be pursued. For example, you might be considering the for-profit option if you had a low GPA in undergrad, if you are seeking a program that is not readily available online or at non-profit universities, or if you are pursuing a certificate for a specific industry. Regardless of why you are interested in going the for-profit route, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with pursuing a graduate degree from this kind of institution.
The most important takeaway is for students to understand that pursuing a degree (graduate, undergraduate, certificate, or otherwise) from a for-profit institution poses risks. All students should be made aware of these risks so they can make the best, well-researched decision possible.
Thoroughly research, assess, and address the risks commonly associated with pursuing a degree from this kind of program, and from the particular institution you are interested in.
Do not fall victim to marketing tactics! Do your research before making any sort of commitment.
Take time to research a wide variety of universities and programs to ensure that you are making the most informed decision.
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Alyssa holds an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. For the last 7 years, she has coached hundreds of college students on how to be successful academically and in prepping for a job.
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