Most colleges in the United States are non-profit institutions that receive tax benefits in exchange for providing public benefits. Nevertheless, numerous for-profit schools operate in this country, and millions of students attend such institutions. There has been some negative press about for-profit colleges and allegations that some of these institutions mislead students and commit other wrongs. However, there are a few instances when you should attend a for-profit college in the right circumstances.
Non-Traditional Schedules
One of the main reasons when you should attend a for-profit college is if you work a non-traditional schedule. Many people wish to attend college later in life or while they have a full-time job after high school. It can be difficult for such people to attend traditional colleges since such schools usually have courses during the day when people might be working.
For-profit schools are often more dedicated to nontraditional students and have offerings that make it easier for nontraditional students to work and earn academic credits. Many for-profit schools have courses during the weekends and during evenings when students may be off from work and are more likely to have free time for academic offerings. Of course, some non-profit schools also offer such arrangements, but this is far less likely at such schools, and people who wish to attend school on a nontraditional basis should consider attending a for-profit college.
Lower Costs
Another situation when you should attend a for-profit college is when it makes financial sense to enroll in such a program. Many for-profit schools have lower tuition costs and fees than traditional colleges. This is because for-profit colleges oftentimes have less offerings and “frills” than traditional colleges, which is fine for many nontraditional students who do not need athletic facilities, lavish student centers, and other perks of attending a traditional college.
A word of caution here: some for-profit colleges still charge a pretty penny. For-profit colleges need to generate profit for the stakeholders, and they can still charge students large amounts of money to attend a program. In addition, for-profit colleges are less likely to offer scholarships and financial aid that can make it more affordable to attend a traditional college. Students should not assume that a for-profit school is necessarily cheaper than a traditional college, and they should do their research to ensure that it makes the most financial sense to attend a for-profit college over a non-profit school.
Location
A further circumstance when you should attend a for-profit college is if the for-profit college is located in a strategic place for the student. Traditional colleges are usually located on expansive campus that might be separated from where people typically live or work. This can make it difficult for nontraditional students to travel to and from class in order to earn academic credits. In addition, nontraditional students might not want to interact with traditional students, which is more likely to occur at a more traditional school.
However, for-profit schools are more likely to be located in convenient locations for nontraditional students. This includes, strip malls, inside cities, and other locations in which people work and live. The easier it is to get to class, the more likely it is that a nontraditional student will go to class and get more benefits from an academic program. It is important that people receive the full benefits they are paying for when they enroll in an academic program, and this is more possible if a campus is conveniently located. Of course, many people attend classes remotely, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend in higher education is likely to expand in the future. However, there is still a lot of value to attending class in person in order to interact with instructors, fellow students, and others. As a result, the location of a for-profit school can be an asset when choosing which program to attend.
Time to Complete a Degree
Another reason when you should attend a for-profit college is if it would take less time to earn a degree at a for-profit school. Sometimes, for-profit schools are more likely to have accelerated academic programs that allow individuals to complete degrees in less time than it takes at a traditional school. It is possible that individuals can save money by spending less time in school earning a degree. In addition, earning a degree earlier means that you can enter a career earlier and potentially make more money earlier. Furthermore, earning a degree in less time often means that you need to spend less money on living expenses in order to earn a degree.
Of course, accelerated programs are challenging, and it can be more difficult to pay attention to course material and other academic obligations while enrolled in an accelerated program. Students need to weigh all of the benefits and disadvantages when determining if it makes to enroll in an accelerated program. Nevertheless, this option that is usually more available at for-profit schools is definitely worth considering for many students.
All told, there are certain situations in which it makes sense to attend a for-profit school, and students should not let any negative press about for-profit schools impact their perspective. Nevertheless, there are certain things that students should keep in mind when deciding if they should attend a for-profit school to earn a degree.