Should you consider going to proprietary schools for college? The answer is most probably “No” or “It depends.”

What is a Proprietary school? Proprietary schools are private schools that are “for-profit” Which means that their tuitions cost more because they are private.

Unlike other schools where the students pay less for tuition, for-profit schools have been accused of abuse, fraud, and predatory practices targeting the poor, veterans, and minorities by offering expensive degrees that often fail to deliver promised skills and jobs. In a random survey of 100 Morton East students, 54 said they know what a proprietary school is.

“Unlike other schools, proprietary schools are businesses. They are more expensive, and they may not be as invested in their students’ success as non-profit schools,” said College & Career Liaison Lyndsay Legel-Carmody.

Here is the College & Career Liaison’s opinion on when it’s appropriate to go to a proprietary school.

“When there’s no other option, it is alright to go to a proprietary school. But, one cool thing about Morton College is that they absorbed (many of these proprietary school) subjects into their program,” said Collage & Career Liaison Lyndsay Legel-Carmody.

A student shares when a for-profit school reached out to him.

“I have received letters in the mail from DeVry University, but I’m not considering going to a for-profit school,” said Senior Angel Benitez.College & Career Liaison Lynsday Legel-Carmody says that proprietary schools often send mailers to recruit new students.

“The biggest proprietary schools that I can list at the top of my head are Fox College and UTI tech,” said College & Career Liaison Lyndsay Legel-Carmody. (Fox College offers Medical Programs, and UTI offers automotive programs.)

Here is a list of proprietary schools in Illinois: Fox College, DeVry University, Taylor Business Institute, American Academy of Art College, Lincoln College of Technology, Chamberlain University College of Nursing, Pacific College of Health, and Science, Midwestern Career College, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science.

If you are someone you know is considering attending a proprietary school after graduation, please discuss the school and program with your school counselors, parents, and teachers before committing.