Ameritas, launched last week, blends for-profit and nonprofit elements and has a singular focus on Latinos who are working adults. It is part of Brandman University, a private, nonprofit institution with 26 campuses in California and Washington.
This (unnamed) college demonstrates the 'dark side' of the private sector in higher education. Things can go wrong, and when they do this can be very bad - particularly for the students. This is not to say that the private sector in higher education is all like this. It can be done well, and a private alternative to publicly funded universities and colleges adds a great deal to the sector. As in the US and many other countries, private colleges can enrich the student and academic experience for all, giving diversity and real alternatives.
Private sector colleges and universities offer unique opportunities for millions of men and women, particularly young professionals, military veterans and working parents. For our schools, the first-time, full-time student right out of high school is the rare exception rather than the norm. These institutions have enabled millions of Americans to obtain specialized degrees in a wide variety of fields. If that’s not advancing the public good, I don’t know what is.
The volume of federally guaranteed student loans to students at so-called proprietary colleges — the ones that intend to operate at a profit and get nearly all their revenue from the government — continues to grow.