Corinthian College was a for-profit education company that operated more than 100 campuses across the US. The company’s business model focused on enrolling low-income students who were eligible for federal financial aid programs. Corinthian’s aggressive recruitment tactics and high-pressure sales pitches led to many students being enrolled in courses that they were not qualified for or did not want.
In 2014, the US Department of Education began investigating Corinthian after allegations of falsifying job placement rates and deceptive marketing practices. After months of negotiations, the department reached a settlement with Corinthian in which the company agreed to sell or close its schools.
The closure of Corinthian left tens of thousands of students with debt but no degree, sparking widespread criticism of the for-profit education industry. Zeynep Tufekci called attention to this issue in her column by highlighting how these types of companies take advantage of vulnerable populations and leave them worse off than they were before.
The case also highlighted larger issues within higher education such as student debt, access to affordable education, and government oversight over for-profit colleges. Tufekci argued that it is essential for policymakers to address these issues head-on to prevent future harm from corporations like Corinthian College.
Overall, Tufekci’s reporting served as an important reminder about the dangers posed by predatory companies operating within higher education and reinforced the need for reform in this critical sector.