University of Phoenix Parent, Apollo Group, on Defensive

In a recent article in the Chronicle, it was disclosed that many for-profit colleges are under the microscope in Congress.  In recent news, these “institutions” of higher education have been on the defensive having to explain their bold recruiting practices and ridiculously high student-loan default rates.

Most recently, the nation’s largest for-profit higher-education company, the Apollo Group, parent of the University of Phoenix, released a report addressing the current state of higher education in America and the vital role of proprietary colleges and universities according to them.

The 36 Page Report by the Apollo Group

Apollo Group released a report entitled “Higher Education at a Crossroads,” which can be found at their Apollo Group website.

Here are some highlights of the report:

• Education is critical for America.  Presently, only 35 percent of the American workforce has attained a four-year college degree.

• Increasing college graduation rates is costly.  Using the public higher education system alone to educate the tens of millions of students needed to meet the President’s goals would cost more than $800 billion over the next ten years. Well managed proprietary institutions can meet growing demand for expanded access to higher education at less than half this cost.

• Accredited, proprietary colleges are critical in educating “non-traditional” learners. Today, 73 percent of college students are classified as “non-traditional” by the Department of Education.

• Students at four-year proprietary institutions borrow less than those at traditional private institutions.  Non-traditional students have significant borrowing needs due, in part, to their financially independent status.

• University of Phoenix delivers quality education. The University invests significantly in its students’ education and student services.  Last year, University of Phoenix produced 90,000 graduates.

• University of Phoenix taking a leadership role. The University has a commitment to students, including a financial literacy program and a free orientation program.

Essentially, these points included in the 36 page report, argue that for-profit colleges will be critical to meeting President Obama’s goal.  Leading the world in college graduation rates without proprietary colleges would cost taxpayers more than $800-billion over the next 10 years.

Its message is without a doubt clear, Program closures of for-profit universities would jeopardize the president’s improved college grad rates goal.

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2 Responses to “University of Phoenix Parent, Apollo Group, on Defensive”

1. Parnership Ends Between Community Colleges & Kaplan University | College To Careers says:

   August 30, 2010 at 12:10 am

   [...] the agreement not only brought them students, but also a credible relationship at a time when online colleges are being watched under a close eye by congress and the [...]
2. Can Online Colleges Really Help Black Students Similar to HBCU’s? | College News, College Scholarships, and Grants - CollegeToCareers.com says:

   September 4, 2010 at 3:47 pm

   [...] 43 % of the students at for-profit colleges are minority students.  It also indicates that the University of Phoenix now leads all institutions in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to African-Americans. [...]