The average tuition fee for running a four-year university is between public and private non-profit universities. However, experts encourage students considering for-profit universities to critically consider other factors that affect the cost, such as the amount of institutional funds available, the time required to obtain a degree and the value of the degree.
According to the data of the National Education Statistics Center, from 20 17 to 20 18, the average tuition and other expenses of full-time undergraduate freshmen with degrees awarded by four-year for-profit universities totaled about $65,438+$07,000.
In contrast, this figure is higher than that of public four-year universities (with an average tuition fee of $9,000 in the same year) and lower than that of private non-profit universities (with an average tuition fee of $34,600 in 2065,438+07-2065,438+08).
What is a for-profit university?
There are three main types of higher education institutions: public colleges, most of which are funded by state governments and supervised by committees and trustees appointed by state governments; Private non-profit universities do not accept state funding and rely on tuition fees and private donations; And private for-profit universities. For-profit universities are funded by investors and can be subsidiaries of large companies.
More and more for-profit universities offer online education. For-profit universities, whether online learning, campus learning or mixed learning, usually provide work-oriented or career-oriented projects. These universities usually attract non-traditional students, who are attracted by their flexibility and convenience.
Venkates Swaminathan, founder and CEO of LifeLaunchr, a virtual university enrollment guidance service website, wrote in an e-mail: "Theoretically, for-profit universities locate a profitable market in the field of education by focusing on efficiency and practical knowledge rather than education itself. They should not be as flashy as American education-beautiful gymnasiums, brand-new libraries and menus catering to various dietary preferences-but should focus on teaching low-income adult students skills so that they can get higher-paying jobs.
Net price of for-profit universities
Students and families rarely pay the tuition and fees actually published in the newspaper, which is called the price tag. On the contrary, families can better estimate the actual cost of a university by relying on net tuition fees or tuition fees paid by students after receiving grants and scholarships.
The report "University Pricing Trends 20 19" published by American College Board found that the average net tuition of students from low-income families in private non-profit institutions decreased by 2% from 2003 to 2004 to 20 15 to 20 16.
Robin Howarth, a senior researcher at the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit organization, said that future students should consider the types of grants and scholarships available, rather than comparing their price tags.
Howarth said: "The net price includes the appropriation. Usually, even if you provide financial support for for-profit and non-profit organizations (more or less for-profit organizations) at the same price, you don't actually provide institutional financial support for students. This situation usually does not exist in non-profit organizations. "
In addition to providing federal financial assistance, some for-profit organizations also provide unique curriculum models to reduce costs, such as FlexPath, a subscription-based learning program provided by Capella University for profit.
Elaine Kincel, a spokeswoman for Capella University, wrote in an email: "The cost of a university varies from course to course, depending on how many credits students can get and how fast they can complete the course." "For example, in FlexPath mode, learners can choose to study faster and save money."
Graduation rate of for-profit universities
It may also take some time to go to a for-profit university.
Only 30% of the students who completed their degrees in for-profit institutions completed their studies in less than five years. According to the data of the University Committee, in contrast, 68% of private non-profit university students and 59% of public university students completed their studies during this period.
Student loans and for-profit universities
Students who graduate from for-profit universities are more likely to get student loans, and the average amount of these loans is higher than that of students from other types of schools.
In 20 16, more than 80% of the graduates of for-profit universities had student loans, while the proportions of private non-profit universities and public universities were 68% and 66% respectively. College entrance &; According to the report released by success in 2065438+09, for-profit university graduates bear an average of $39,900 in student loans upon graduation.
The value of for-profit university degree
Experts point out that the degrees awarded by for-profit universities usually can't bring graduates the salary and earning power they want, and students may not get the same education quality and strict control as public and private non-profit universities.
Wofford, chairman of the advocacy organization "Veterans Education Success", said that veterans are particularly easy to be targeted by for-profit universities because they bring money with the Veterans' Rights Act.
Wofford said: "Unfortunately, some universities are only for money and do not seek to provide good education." She encouraged future students to ask clearly: "How does the school use your Veterans Act?" She said: "Universities should give you so much education, but sadly, many for-profit universities have absorbed a lot from education and used it for private jets and marketing."
In addition, howarth said that the overall income of for-profit university graduates is usually lower than that of graduates from other two university industries, which further depresses the degree value of for-profit university graduates.
"If you have to borrow more money to attend for-profit university courses, but your grades are good, then this is not a big problem, because you have the ability to repay your debts, and your salary will be higher-in the end, you will find that everything is fine, but the opposite is true." She said.
Experts also pointed out that students should consider other issues besides tuition fees when weighing whether to go to for-profit universities, such as previous law enforcement or upcoming legal actions.
Howarth said: "I think it is safe to say that most for-profit schools have poor grades." There may be some companies that are good at their own business, but in the absence of a real in-depth study of reputation, people have reason to be generally vigilant about this industry. "