For Profit Colleges

What is it with "For Profit" Colleges and Universities that they are under attack?

It isn't like there are no public college and university alternatives.  It isn't like information is not available on them and their success rate.  It isn't like there aren't price comparisons.

And, it isn't like the public colleges and universities in many states don't appear to be operating like they were "for profit" institutions themselves.  Just look at the way UMass Lowell Continuing Education is going to on-line courses in replacement for courses taught in the classroom.  And, because of certain "color of money" issues, there are no tuition breaks for veterans or those over 60, as there are when the class is taught in the classroom.

This morning The New York Times, Page 1, top of the fold, left hand column, has an article with the headline "Romney Offers Praise for a Donor’s Business".  At the third level of headline it reads "The Candidate Asserts For-Profit Colleges Offer Savings"—not at the on-line version, but in print.♠

As for Candidate Romney praising someone who is a donor to his campaign, I am "shocked".  But, moving right along to the third headline, maybe they do.  Times have changed.  When I was still in my twenties my father would complain about how Long Beach State College, later California State University, Long Beach, was costing him $100 per semester for each of my brothers, including books.  For next semester my books for one course are $100, plus another hundred for my wife's books.  In fairness, with inflation that $100 is probably about $1,000 today. On the other hand, for the three courses I need to complete my second Bachelors Degree, UMass Lowell "Day School" fees are $3,700 and pocket change, which does not include books (this assumes I don't have to pay the $545.22 in in-state tuition).  And maybe some fees, like "First-Year Student Service Fee and some College semester Fees (Science and Math $250) and mandatory Health Insurance (I am covered, thank you).  And the "waivable" Mass PIRG fee of $11 per semester.♥

A friend of mine was noting that sending a son to UConn was going to be $80,000 for four years, in state.  I don't think my Aunt Edra payed near that amount for my two cousins, but then she worked there.  Maybe she got a break.

If for profit colleges are not economically viable, they will wither and die.  I don't see the need for a front page article on this, except for making political hay.  Do you think it is coordinated with Administration attacks on for-profit schools?

Education is big business these days, whether it is Full Sail University♦ or Harvard♣ or UMass Lowell.  And, being a business, it is subject to the fluctuations of the marketplace.  Right now things are going well, but a number of observers see an Education Bubble coming our way.

So, my question is, for the Editors of The New York Times, a not quite for profit enterprise, who is a suitable Republican to challenge and replace President Obama next January, or does such a person not exist?

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  I would like to note that The New York Times still does headlines the classic way, with capitals for each of the words, less the minor ones.  I like that.  It seems right.  And they still say Mr or Ms.  A little politeness goes a long ways.
♥  How do you get PIRG out of Public Interest Group?  I guess because there is an "R" in "Interest".  If Gerry Nutter is against MLF, he should really be against Mass PIRG.
♦  Wikipedia lists it as a for profit trade school.
♣  For a private, not for profit, institution, they amass a lot of money.  The GDP of a small nation.  (The Endowment is $32 billion.  Kenya, 86th in GDP ranking out of 183 (not half way down) is $32.092 billion.)