* For-profit model: Its for-profit nature led to concerns about prioritizing profit over educational quality, a common critique leveled at many for-profit institutions.
* Aggressive marketing and recruitment: Kaplan, like many for-profit colleges, was criticized for aggressive recruitment practices that potentially misled students about their chances of success and career outcomes.
* High tuition costs and student loan debt: The high cost of tuition and the resulting student loan debt burdened many graduates. This is a problem faced by students at many institutions, but it was especially prevalent in the for-profit sector.
* Graduation and job placement rates: While Kaplan published statistics, some questioned their accuracy and relevance. Critics argued that some figures were misleading or didn't reflect the realities of graduates' job prospects.
However, it's crucial to understand that these criticisms were largely aimed at the *previous* iteration of Kaplan University. After its acquisition by Purdue University Global, it underwent significant changes. The current Purdue Global system aims to address some of the prior concerns through:
* Accreditation: Purdue Global is regionally accredited, which lends it some degree of credibility, although regional accreditation standards can vary.
* Curriculum changes: The curriculum and programs have been revised.
* Emphasis on academic rigor: There's an attempt to emphasize academic rigor and support systems for students.
In conclusion: While Kaplan University faced serious accusations of questionable practices in the past, labeling the *current* Purdue University Global (which absorbed Kaplan) a "diploma mill" is an oversimplification and potentially inaccurate. However, prospective students should still thoroughly research the institution, its programs, tuition costs, graduation rates, and job placement data before enrolling. The legacy of the earlier incarnation of Kaplan University should be considered, but it's not representative of the entirety of Purdue Global's current structure and efforts.