What is a non-profit or not-for-profit college or university?
The traditional type of private college/university in the US.
Public colleges/universities are also not for-profit organizations. This means that the college does not have to generate money for investors or owners as part of its mission: it does not focus on “making a profit.”
Non-profit status provides some benefits (tax exemption) but also limits ways the college can generate funds.
For-profit colleges are often viewed concern or suspicion in the US, compared with non-profit colleges; this may be changing, as for-profit colleges and organizations are partnering with non-profit or public colleges.