New research shows Black students are paying more and getting less at for-profit colleges
For Black students weighing their college options, the pitch from for-profit colleges can sound compelling. Flexible schedules, fast enrollment, and a promise of career advancement. But according to new research from the Institute for College Access and Success, the reality for many Black graduates tells a very different story. Lydia Franz, a policy associate at TICAS who focuses on federal accountability in higher education, sat down with Rolling Out University to walk through the findings and what they mean for students making decisions right now.
What the for-profit data reveals about Black students
TICAS has tracked enrollment trends at for-profit colleges for years, and the patterns have remained consistent. Black students enroll in for-profit undergraduate and graduate programs at disproportionately high rates, and they borrow more to do it. In the organization’s latest analysis, 91% of Black students attending for-profit bachelor’s programs took on debt, compared to 81% of Black students at public bachelor’s programs. The borrowing gap extends beyond rates. On average, Black students at for-profit colleges borrowed $9,000 more than their peers at public schools.
To get beyond the numbers, TICAS spoke directly with 12 Black students who graduated from for-profit programs. What they found was striking. 10 out of 12 said they would not choose the same school again if given the chance. Some paid more than expected and left with more debt than planned. Others earned degrees that did not lead to better jobs, which was the whole reason they enrolled in the first place.
The for-profit recruitment problem
Franz pointed to a broader pattern in how some for-profit colleges have marketed themselves to Black communities. “Just because a college enrolls high numbers of Black students doesn’t mean that it’s serving those students well,” she said. In some cases, that enrollment is the result of targeted recruitment followed by what Franz described as a “subprime or exploitative product.”
The report highlights a lawsuit brought by a group of Black women against Walden University over its Doctor of Business Administration program. The plaintiffs alleged the school specifically targeted Black women and misled them about the program’s cost and timeline. A court agreed, finding that Walden had engaged in reverse redlining through its recruitment of that community.
A shrinking safety net for students
The research comes at a moment when federal protections for students are being pulled back. Franz noted that oversight agencies including the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have seen major staff reductions, leaving fewer people to scrutinize college practices at the federal level. Congress has also made changes to the loan system that will raise monthly payments and make it harder for students who were defrauded to access debt relief.
“Now more than ever, all students, and Black students in particular, need state regulators and their enforcement officials to take a close look at colleges,” Franz said. Her hope is that the report serves as a direct call to state officials to step in where federal oversight has pulled back.
What students can do before enrolling
Franz offered practical guidance for anyone considering a for-profit college. The College Scorecard, available at collegescorecard.ed.gov and run by the Department of Education, provides verified data on cost, graduation rates, and job outcomes across school types. She also flagged a common pressure tactic used by some schools, pushing students to commit quickly with warnings about limited spots or rising prices. “Take your time,” she said. “Any school looking to provide you a quality product is going to be willing to answer your questions and make sure you’re fully informed before you make a decision.”
The full TICAS report is available at ticas.org.