Born to a Missouri sharecropping couple, John Sperling discovered books at sea as a merchant marine. He returned to college and earned a doctorate from Cambridge, but found academic life too stifling. Driven by a vision of a new for-profit university that would offer adults a second chance at higher education, he returned to America and, aged 52, created the University of Phoenix. Less than 25 years later, Phoenix is the largest university in America. This book tells the story of Sperling's astounding success. It relates a dramatic personal success story, from merchant marine to academic...

Today a college degree is needed to ensure an avenue to a decent standard of living. The workplace demands lifelong learning, since most workers will change careers several times before retiring. Meanwhile, attaining a degree is becoming more difficult both in terms of the time required and money. This affects not only individuals but encourages lawmakers to seek alternatives. This book examines higher education programs designed for and delivered to working adult students under a unique for-profit model, one that benefits both taxpayer and student.

Today a college degree is needed to ensure an avenue to a decent standard of living. The workplace demands lifelong learning, since most workers will change careers several times before retiring. Meanwhile, attaining a degree is becoming more difficult both in terms of the time required and money. This affects not only individuals but encourages lawmakers to seek alternatives. This book examines higher education programs designed for and delivered to working adult students under a unique for-profit model, one that benefits both taxpayer and student.