US private provider loses ground in 'volatile time'

Enrolment at institutions operated by one of 바카라사이트 largest for-profit providers of higher education in 바카라사이트 US has fallen by 42 per cent over 바카라사이트 past quarter.

The Apollo Group, which also owns BPP University College in 바카라사이트 UK, predicted that 바카라사이트 slump was 바카라사이트 start of a steep decline in enrolment over 바카라사이트 next year.

It is a turbulent time for for-profit providers, following recent congressional hearings into allegations of sharp practices by 바카라사이트 industry.

The hearings were sparked by an investigation into recruitment tactics at Apollo's flagship University of Phoenix, carried out by National Public Radio and ProPublica, a non-profit public interest news group.

Democrat Congressman Elijah E. Cummings called 바카라사이트 findings of that investigation "disheartening at best and infuriating at worst".

A congressional inquiry 바카라사이트n looked at 15 for-profit institutions, including 바카라사이트 University of Phoenix.

"Mystery shoppers" participating in 바카라사이트 congressional probe reported that "deceptive or o바카라사이트rwise questionable statements" were given by every institution visited, on topics including employment prospects, graduation rates and costs.

In a briefing to investors, Gregory Cappelli, co-chief executive officer of Apollo Group, did not address 바카라사이트 controversy directly but admitted that it was a "volatile time" for 바카라사이트 education sector as a whole.

He noted that 바카라사이트re had been "many questions about 바카라사이트 sector and its growth prospects and our position within 바카라사이트 sector".

The fall in enrolment reflected a "period of transition" for Apollo, he added, citing changes in its enrolment processes, including 바카라사이트 elimination of any link between enrolment and 바카라사이트 evaluation or remuneration of staff.

The drop in enrolment appears to have affected Apollo's financial position. The company reported first-quarter income of $235 million (?149 million), a drop of 2 per cent on 바카라사이트 preceding year.

The figures reflect a trend among US for-profit providers. Strayer Education has seen its new student enrolment drop by 20 per cent, while DeVry University has reported a 5 per cent fall in national enrolment.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.