A college or university that is founded on a profit based model must either more expensive or lower quality than equivalent not-for-profit, state or private schools. State schools are typically subsidized, at least a bit, by the state budgets. Private schools often have sizeable endowments and significant annual donations from alumni.

If the for-profit college's initial question is how can I help potential students tap federal financial programs to maximize returns to their investors, then affordability and quality will not be their top priority.