So I know the general consensus is that for-profit schools are bad; by design they primarily serve share holders rather than students and that they are oftentimes guilty of saddling their graduates with tons of debt and few job opportunities. There are usually far better avenues for higher ed available (community college, commuter schools w/ larger non-trad populations, etc.)
With that said, are all for-profit schools equal in how… lousy they are? I recently reconnected with an early childhood friend and found out that she is attending one of the The Art Institutes - a for profit art school system with I believe over 50 locations. She’s studying fashion design. She’s a freshman (19 years old.)
I am really, really worried because she grew up in less than ideal circumstances. Her father was not in the picture (serving life sentence in prison) and her mother lived in a subsidized housing project with her 7 children. I feel as though this is the target demographic for a lot of for-profit schools (judging by documentaries I’ve seen on for profit schools + the nature of their daytime commercials.) For-profit schools seem to market themselves as an easy way out of poverty which appeal to a lot of people since the degree programs are usually accelerated and times are really flexible.
I was wondering if I should reach out to my friend and advise her to perhaps “get out” so to speak while she still can and go to a community college. She has an immense amount of respect for my Dad (a community college professor) and she’s always seen him as a sort of father figure when we were younger - he’d take her along with us on trips, drive her to school with me, etc like a daughter/niece. I might not necessarily speak to her personally but rather have my father do it instead. My father has had students go through community college and transfer to MIT, Boston College, Amherst College, etc - he knows first hand how many possibilities are available through CC. With her income level, she’d most definitely get significant grant aid (Pell, etc) and could attend for basically free. The CC is only a subway stop away from her house which would mean easy access as well. If she were to transfer to a 4 year afterwards, she’d most likely get similar generous aid there too.
I feel like I’m getting off track. My point is - the program she is in is 36 months long and costs 100,000 dollars (96k tuition plus supplies, fees, books, etc) – an additional 40k for room and board but she is commuting from home. If this is being financed through loans, she will be graduating with 100k in non-dischargable debt. I’ve read about a dozen articles about Art Institute graduates with 100k+ in debt and no job opportunities. But I do not, for sure know that the Art Institute is THAT bad and that perhaps she does have a decent shot at gainful employment post-graduation or that perhaps her debt load isn’t that much. I don’t want to get ahead of myself and impose an unwanted suggestion. But if things really ARE that bad, I’d feel guilty for not offering what I believe to be genuinely helpful advice. A lot of her friends are at this specific community college so it isn’t as though she’d be insulted or anything.
In terms of for-profit schools; are there reasonable, viable options? Are there “lessers” of the evils? Am I just getting ahead of myself? College Confidential has always been an exceptional resource - and I find that the parents of College Confidential often provide the most helpful and insightful advice and guidance.
