The Differences Between For-Profit Online Colleges & Non-Profit Online Colleges
October 13, 2010 by michaelm
Filed under Back To College, Online College, Online Education
Courses Offered
Non-profit schools usually have two and four-year programs focused on business, science, arts and medical majors. As a general rule, most for-profit institutions have mostly two-year programs that are focused on technology and other vocational studies that do not require a four-year degree or higher; there are some exceptions that do offer four-year programs.
Accreditation
There are several different accreditation agencies that govern decision-making about what schools meet their standards. Nearly every non-profit institution is accredited by the departments and agencies that employers or state testing facilities require. Not all for-profit online colleges are accredited, but many of them are. It is also important to keep in mind that not all vocations require a specific accreditation agency to approve a school in order to gain a license; some careers do not even require a license either. To know if a school is accredited nationally, prospective students may look it up on the Department of Education’s website.
Structure
Non-profit online colleges do not usually pay to advertise on television or the radio. Most advertisements that are seen or heard often are from schools that are for-profit. The schools that receive a profit are set up in a business-like structure, where advertising, sales and profits are key. These institutions are usually backed by investors, while non-profit schools are backed by donations by alumni and other supporting businesses or entities.
Flexibility
Online non-profit schools often require students to adhere to the same schedule as campus-based students. For example, tests may only be available to take for a 24-hour period. Most for-profit colleges allow a more flexible deadline, usually a week or more. Students who have a busy life schedule outside of school often must take these factors into consideration when deciding on a school.
