There are approximately 5,300 colleges and universities in the U.S. With that many choices, landing on the right school for earning your bachelor’s or master’s degree can seem overwhelming. Of course, you may be able to narrow down your options by searching for such things as location, programs, or enrollment criteria. What about the choice of attending a for-profit vs a nonprofit university? Does one hold an advantage over the other?
Is a nonprofit university right for me?
Even though finding the right school may feel daunting, you can start by deciding if you would like to attend a nonprofit or for-profit university. Students often wonder what the differences are between these types of schools. Read further to explore the answers to common questions about nonprofit universities. You will see the benefits of earning an accelerated online degree from a nonprofit university such as Ottawa University.
What is the difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit university?
The nonprofit university’s primary reason for existing is to educate students. The nonprofit university typically receives money from the government, tuition, and endowments. It cannot have shareholders and it cannot sell stock; therefore, it focuses primarily on academic programs and services to students, rather than selling stock.
As the name suggests, for-profit universities exist to make a profit. Even though for-profit universities are in the business of educating students, their primary drive is to make money for themselves and their shareholders. Many for-profit universities have numerous locations scattered throughout the country and online as a way of enrolling more students and generating higher profits.
How does a nonprofit university benefit me?
One key factor that differentiates a nonprofit, such as Ottawa University, and a for-profit university is that a nonprofit university is required to reinvest its earnings into improving your school’s operations. Ottawa University is committed to developing and growing our academic programs, student services, expert faculty, and quality leadership. Also, you want to keep in mind that class sizes of private nonprofit schools are generally much smaller than those of for-profit or public institutions. This makes instruction much more individualized.
On the other hand, for-profit universities do not have any restrictions on how they use their income. As a result, a significant portion of tuition revenue is generally invested in advertising and marketing to draw more students and investors as opposed to reinvesting in educational programs.
How do I choose the right University?
Beyond researching the differences between nonprofit and for-profit universities outlined above, choosing the right university for your educational needs will require that you find a school that will provide you with the best academic preparation and student experience. Accredited and quality online nonprofit universities should be part of that research. With this in mind, Ottawa University offers a great deal of flexibility and support while you complete your degree. There are endless benefits of earning an online degree with Ottawa.
Ottawa University’s Accreditation
Ottawa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has held continuous accreditation since 1914. It holds additional accreditation for specific programs, as well.
What is Ottawability?
- Fastrackability- moving you from classroom to career faster and better prepared for success.
- Online learning capability- 100% Online, 100% On Your Schedule, and still 100% Accredited
- Respectability- highly prestigious university since 1865, accredited since 1914
- Affordability- Ottawa University makes tuition affordable for our students. Our transfer policy can greatly reduce the amount of time and number of 8-week terms you need to complete to earn your degree, reducing your overall costs
- Transferability- Ottawa University is proud to partner with local community and technical colleges with our Transfer Advantage Program
If the benefits of a nonprofit university have piqued your interest, then you are ready to earn your highly prestigious online degree from Ottawa University. With locations in Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix, Ottawa University offers multiple locations and hybrid learning opportunities, as well. Reach out to an enrollment advisor today for more information about our online programs!
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