For-Profit Universities in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: February 2024
NAICS 61131bRevenue
$13.9bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
81,378
Businesses
180
Wages
$X.Xbn
For-Profit Universities in the US industry analysis
For-profit universities have managed to generate some revenue growth through the current period even as external challenges have weighed on the industry. While higher educational institutions have faced rising skepticism amid high student debt, for-profit universities' more affordable price tags helped them avoid more significant enrollment declines. Competition from vocational schools and other affordable alternatives pressured the industry's pricing power, but robust tuition hikes have kept revenue on a steady trajectory upward in the pandemic's aftermath. Industry revenue has ultimately swelled at a CAGR of 0.2% to an estimated $13.9 billion over the five years through 2024.
Trends and Insights
- The Biden administration has revamped the gainful employment (GE) rule. Under GE doctrine, for-profit universities must report low graduate debt-to-earning ratios to qualify for federal funding. This rule will take effect in July 2024.
- Bachelor’s degrees contribute the bulk of tuition revenue for for-profit schools. Many students focus on special programs in the arts, design and healthcare.
- The largest for-profit schools, like the University of Pheonix, have expanded campuses across the United States. Massive advertisement campaigns have made nationwide for-profit schools into household names.
- Public universities offer lower tuition than for-profit schools, but in-state students benefit the most. For-profit schools stay competitive by keeping tuition below private non-profit schools and using online classes to attract out-of-state students.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $13.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The industry's cheaper price tags are helping protect it from public skepticism
- Ballooning student debt has made many recent high school graduates skeptical of a higher education's return on investment. While new government initiatives are seeking to improve debt-to-earnings transparency, the number of college students has sank through the current period.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
A shaky economic outlook will bring back enrollment growth
- Interest rates are expected to remain high through 2024 and 2025, bringing on a spike in unemployment. As competition for jobs intensifies, some jobless workers use their newfound free time to attend a for-profit university and improve their marketability to potential employers.
Biggest companies in the For-Profit Universities in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apollo Education Group Inc. | 793.8 | 70.1 | 8.8 | |
Perdoceo Education Corp | 656.0 | 148.8 | 22.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Bachelor's courses, Master's courses and Doctorate courses. Bachelor's courses is the largest segment of the For-Profit Universities in the US.
Trends and Insights
Bachelor's degrees cater to a wide range of careers
- Bachelor's degrees are the most popular course programs for for-profit universities. These degrees take the shortest amount of time to complete and can be applied to a wide range of careers, making them useful to the broadest range of consumers.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Community Colleges in the US
- Trade & Technical Schools in the US
- Business Certification & IT Schools in the US
- Fine Arts Schools in the US
- Colleges & Universities in the US
Complementors
- Finance and Insurance in the US
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services in the US
- Healthcare and Social Assistance in the US
International industries
- Colleges & Universities in Canada
- University and Other Higher Education in Australia
- Universities in New Zealand
- Universities in the UK
- Third-Level Education in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The For-Profit Universities industry includes colleges and universities that offer academic courses at baccalaureate or graduate levels on a for-profit basis. A high school diploma or equivalent academic training is generally an admission requirement. Instruction may be provided in a variety of settings such as educational institutions, the workplace, the home, training facilities and through correspondence, TV, the internet or other electronic or distance-learning means.
What's included in this industry?
Providing college and university education on a for-profit basis (except junior colleges)Providing professional school education on a for-profit basis (e.g. business administration, dental, law, medicine)Providing doctorate and master's education on a for-profit basisCompanies
Apollo Education Group Inc.Perdoceo Education CorpPurchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT RULENONTRADITIONAL STUDENTTITLE IV PROGRAMTRADITIONAL UNIVERSITIESCOHORT DEFAULT RATEIndustry Code
NAICS 611310 - For-Profit Universities in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The Biden administration has revamped the gainful employment (GE) rule. Under GE doctrine, for-profit universities must report low graduate debt-to-earning ratios to qualify ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Bachelor’s degrees contribute the bulk of tuition revenue for for-profit schools. Many students focus on special programs in the arts, design and healthcare.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The largest for-profit schools, like the University of Pheonix, have expanded campuses across the United States. Massive advertisement campaigns have made nationwide for-prof...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Public universities offer lower tuition than for-profit schools, but in-state students benefit the most. For-profit schools stay competitive by keeping tuition below private ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Many competing for-profit companies battle it out nationwide for applicants and enrollment. A spike in school closures has reduced the number of companies, but mergers haven’...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Apollo Education Group Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Perdoceo Education Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Apollo Education Group Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Perdoceo Education Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Broad-sweeping student loan forgiveness remains in limbo. Recent initiatives, like the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, help ease debt for smaller subsets of borro...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Schools have cut costs to deal with low enrollment, keeping profit relatively high. Layoffs and wage cuts have driven the cost reductions and helped schools take advantage of...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States is $13.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in 2024?
There are 180 businesses in the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the For-Profit Universities in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the For-Profit Universities market in United States are Apollo Education Group Inc. and Perdoceo Education Corp
What does the For-Profit Universities in the US in United States include?
Providing college and university education on a for-profit basis (except junior colleges) and Providing professional school education on a for-profit basis (e.g. business administration, dental, law, medicine) are part of the For-Profit Universities in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the For-Profit Universities in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Apollo Education Group Inc..
How competitive is the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the For-Profit Universities in the US industry in United States.
