Just 38% of for-profit college alumni think their degree was worthwhile and 53% think their school cared more about profit than education, according to a new Public Agenda report on for-profit colleges and universities.
The report – it was supported by Arnold Ventures – includes national survey findings about the educational experiences of for-profit college attendees, covering matters such as enrollment motivations, satisfaction, personal outcomes, and whether their degree was worth the cost.
“Every year, students and their families invest their time and treasure – and the federal government invests over $100 billion – in higher education. But for far too many students, these investments don’t pan out,” said Kelly McManus, vice president of higher education at Arnold Ventures. “This report will help policymakers hear directly from students about their experiences. It is abundantly clear we need stronger protections for students and taxpayers and need to demand more from our institutions of higher ed, especially in the for-profit sector.”
While 53% of for-profit college alumni felt their school cared more about making money than educating students, only 33% of current for-profit students thought the same, the report found. And of the 29% of for-profit attendees who had spoken with a recruiter, 40% said recruiters pressured them to enroll.
Most attendees, 83%, reported general satisfaction with their college, but approximately 40% for-profit alumni and non-completers said their school had insufficient resources such as tutors, internships, career services, job placement, and health services.