"Drawing on her personal experience as a former counselor at two for-profit colleges and interviews with students, senior executives and activists, a renowned sociologist reveals how for-profit schools have become so successful and deciphers the benefits, credentials pitfalls and real costs of a for-profit education, "--NoveList.

"Distributed by Perseus Distribution"--Title page verso.

Introduction: The education gospel -- 1. The real -- 2. The beauty college and the technical college -- 3. Jesus is my backup plan -- 4. When higher education makes cents -- 5. Where credit is due -- 6. Credentials, jobs, and the new economy -- Epilogue.