Much of what was written about for-profit colleges prior to the late 1990s was either simple advocacy or abstract criticism. Today's literature includes more general description and more use of organizational, economic, and political concepts. This article addresses the status of for-profit colleges that offer at least an associate degree or higher. This article covers the basics about the for-profit degree-granting college sector, developmental pattern--programs and enrollment, economic opportunities and limitations, competitive challenges for traditional colleges, and refinements for future analysis.