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.

"A great life and a great read . . ."–George Soros

"A remarkably cogent story of a most remarkable man. Sperling’s openness about problems and failures inspires and informs the entrepreneurial spirit. Sperling describes the extraordinary power and potential of focused human intensity. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in starting or building a business."–Peter Lewis, Chairman and CEO, The Progressive Corporation

"The University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the United States. It is fully accredited and traded on NASDAQ. Mere mention of its name produces anger, fear, and envy on the nation’s college campuses. In the private sector, it has inspired scores of companies to enter the education market. This is the story of the entrepreneur who launched a revolution in higher education."–Arthur Levine, President, Teacher’s College, Columbia University

"Education will be one of the key growth sectors of our knowledge-based economy over the next ten years. John Sperling, founder and Chairman of Apollo Group, has been one of the visionary driving forces behind this growth. By developing a unique customer-focused model of higher education, Dr. Sperling has helped to build the largest private university in the United States that continues to be one of the best growth opportunities in education today."–Thomas Weisel, President & CEO, Thomas Weisel Partners, LLC