In this article, we discuss the 5 best for-profit colleges in the US. If you want to read about some more for-profit colleges in the US, go directly to 20 Best For-Profit Colleges in the US.
5. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Annual Fee: $21,615
Enrolled Students (fall 2020): 1,643
Average Rank: 15
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) is located in Lakewood, Colorado. It is a private for-profit art college started by Philip J. Steele, an artist and educator, in 1963. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design now accredit RMCAD. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation has approved the Interior Design program.
A total of 1,643 students enrolled in the RMCAD in the fall of 2020. The college fee is $21,615 per annum. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is enlisted in the list of Regional Colleges West of the US News in which it secures a position of 31 out of 102.
4. Academy of Art University
Annual Fee: $32,460
Enrolled Students (fall 2021): 7,843
Average Rank: 7
The Academy of Art (AAU or ART U), a private art college in San Francisco, was founded in 1929 as the Academy of Advertising Art, with a primary focus on advertising art. Since then, 25 subjects have been covered by the school’s associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Academy of Art University has established a strong reputation in the fashion industry over the past few decades and has been granted official accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Since 2005, the school has participated in NY Fashion Week, showcasing student work. Additionally, 200 historic automobiles are housed in the Academy of Art Institution Automobile Museum, which is owned and run by the university.
The school is claimed to be the largest art and design school in the US with a total undergrad enrollment of 5,363 students and a graduate enrollment of 2,480 students (Nov 2021). The school charges a tuition fee of $32,460. According to the US News, the school secures a position of 88 for the year 2022-23 in the Regional Universities West ranking list.
3. Alliant International University
Annual Fee: $17,130
Enrolled Students (fall 2021): 3,818
Average Rank: 6
Private, for-profit Alliant International University, sometimes known as Alliant, has campuses around California, with its main location in San Diego. Six campuses in California – San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine, Sacramento, and Fresno.
The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and the United States International University (USIU) combined to become Alliant in 2001. Alliant’s main campus is located in San Diego, California, just like the schools it is derived from. In addition, USIU had a campus in Europe until 2007 that was housed in a former public school in the UK that served as a location for a number of movies, including the Harry Potter series.
The WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities has granted accreditation to Alliant, encompassing all of its programs. The California State Board of Education has given its approval to the university’s educational offerings. The American Psychological Association accredits clinical psychology programs (APA). The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education has approved the marital and family therapy programs at Alliant.
A total of 3818 students are enrolled in the university as of fall 2021. US News also mentions the annual cost of Alliant University to be $17,130.
2. Colorado Technical University
Annual Fee: $12,581
Enrolled Students (fall 2020): 28,244
Average Rank: 4
The main campus of Colorado Technical University (CTU), a private for-profit institution, is located in Colorado Springs. The Perdoceo Education Corporation owns the university. In 1965, Colorado Technical College was founded to educate former service members in technical and vocational fields.
Colorado Technical University became the name of the organization in 1995 after it was granted university status. To deliver tailored learning, CTU started utilizing a unique adaptive learning platform called Intellipath in 2012. Military Times magazine selected CTU as the best online and non-traditional university for veterans in 2013 and 2014. In 2016, it once again attained this position. In September 2016, the CTU campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was shut down.
The undergraduate enrollment reached a number of 24,759 whereas 3,485 students enrolled in the graduate programs. The institution charges its students, a fee of more than $12,581 per annum. As stated by the US News, out of 443 National Universities, Colorado Technical University is placed between 331-440.
1. Grand Canyon University
Annual Fee: $17,800
Enrolled Students (fall 2020): 103,427
Average Rank: 1
It is the largest Christian university in the world with over 20,000 students that attend the classes physically and roughly 70,000 online students. A spokesperson for the institution said the following about its for-profit designation in our article:
“Legally, GCU is a nonprofit entity. It receives grants as a nonprofit, accepts philanthropic donations as a nonprofit, has NCAA voting rights as a nonprofit, pays taxes as a nonprofit, etc. In short, it has the legal authority to operate as a nonprofit entity.
GCU’s nonprofit status has been recognized by the IRS, State of Arizona and both our regional (HLC) and state (AZPPSE) accrediting bodies since we successfully reverted to our nonprofit status on July 1, 2018. The Department of Education also approved that change-of-ownership transaction but has decided to still classify the university as a proprietary institution for purposes of federal funding. That classification does not overrule the other regulatory bodies or change the fact that GCU is still a legal nonprofit entity. It simply means GCU must adhere to stricter regulations for federal funding that apply only to for-profit institutions, which have never been an issue with GCU as we far exceed those guidelines.”
GCU offers approximately 200 distinct degree programs, and many schools have been set up to meet the requirements of each program. There are several degree options available to students, ranging from engineering to theology, nursing, teaching, and performing arts.
The GCU campus is continually expanding, and students are welcome to witness athletic and performing arts events in its cutting-edge venues. The campus has a proud collegiate air thanks to its large dorms, roomy leisure center, and distinctive study areas.
According to US News, in the fall of 2020, the total number of undergrads enrolled in the university was greater than 63,752. The total number of students enrolled in the university was 103,427.
US News ranks the institution in their list of Best National Universities between 331 to 440, considering a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The university charges its students a sum of $17,800 per annum.
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