Enrollment is now less about 50% of just a few years ago (241,900 today versus 480,000 in 2010) and yet Phoenix continues to bilk students of Title IV and GI Bill money. Phoenix now has the dubious distinction of garnering fully 1/3 (35 of 106) of the lowest performing schools on a list of COLLEGES IN THE BOTTOM 5% FOR FAILING TO GRADUATE AT LEAST 15% OF ALL FRESHMEN Source: Education Trust analysis of Title IV Program Volume Reports, from Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, 2014, Table 2A.
Moreover, the school is single out because the “University of Phoenix campuses alone account for over one-quarter ($4.1 billion) of the $15 billion federal student aid dollars distributed to colleges in the bottom 5 percent of access and success metrics. Source: Education Trust analysis of Title IV Program Volume Reports, from Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, 2014, p. 5.
Finally, the most recent quarterly report illustrates the schools true mission. Greg Cappelli, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Education Group, perhaps unwittingly described the schools focus going forward—to “build a more efficient organization focused on operational excellence.” Not a quality education, not student success, but a leaner organization that helps bolster stock price. APOL 2014 3rd quarter report.
Any loss of access to Title IV or GI Bill money or even a change to the 90/10 rule (perhaps merely back to the 85/15 calculus)—might it cause UoP go the way of Corinthian? Another question reference those currently enrolled or graduates—what will the degree be worth in the future? Will TP be an overestimate?