The future of proprietary post‐secondary education

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the future of proprietary higher education in the USA based on current industry and student trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a survey of recently published studies and articles on proprietary higher education.

Findings

The problems of overly aggressive marketing and over‐promising results to potential students could undermine the public willingness to support proprietary education. These issues have periodically plagued the proprietary sector, often resulting in new regulations and oversight. Although the sector remains vulnerable to changes in public policy, it has always risen to the occasion and has in many cases been on the forefront of battling the abuses of a few, strengthening of the entire industry as a result.

Originality/value

Provides a resource for faculty, administrators, legislators, and those in the business sector reflecting current postsecondary trends and the emergence of proprietary schools in the national and international higher education arena.

Citation

Lee, J.B. and Topper, A.M. (2006), "The future of proprietary post‐secondary education", On the Horizon, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 84-91. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120610674058