Why Did They Close?
Alteirus Career Colleges was a former for-profit chain of postsecondary vocational colleges that converted to a not-for-profit status in 2015 before closing in 2017 due to severe enrollment losses and regulatory scrutiny from the US Department of Education. The once-prominent network of non-profit healthcare and trade schools underwent a significant transformation in 2015 when it was acquired and converted into a not-for-profit institution by ECMC Education.
Despite this effort to enhance its educational mission, the college chain faced insurmountable challenges, leading to its closure in 2017. The primary factors contributing to its demise were severe enrollment losses and heightened regulatory scrutiny from the US Department of Education. Various factors, such as changes in market demand, competition from other institutions, or internal operational issues, may have influenced the decline in student enrollment.
Additionally, the regulatory scrutiny from the US Department of Education likely exacerbated the challenges, possibly involving compliance issues or concerns regarding the institution’s financial stability.
Programs & Courses
HVAC & Building Services
- HVAC
- Electrical
Healthcare
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Pharmacy Technician
- Dental Assistant
- Surgical Technologist
Computer & Information Technology
- Computer Systems Technician
Wellness
- Massage Therapy
Campus Locations
Tampa, FL 3319 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33614
Norcross, GA 1750 Beaver Ruin Rd., Suite 500 Norcross, GA 30093
Houston, TX 9700 Bissonnet St., Suite 1400 Houston, TX 77036
Financial Aid Services
The school offers financial aid to help students afford their education. Altierus Career College has emergency assistance options for those who struggle to make payments in certain situations. Scholarships, like the American Dream Scholarship, are also available.
Student Services
Students at Altierus Career College can take advantage of different campus services. Attendees have access to career coaching, tutoring, and special events. The school also provides support offices and flexible program start times for convenience.
Veteran and Military Services
Veterans and their dependents are able to get financial aid at Altierus Career College. Most benefits are subject to the discretion of the Veterans Administration. Some military personnel and their families may be eligible to apply for scholarships as well.
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the Altierus Career College – Tampa campus is CLOSED. The school, which was previously part of the Corinthian Colleges chain (and then renamed by ECMC Education), closed its remaining three campuses, including the one in Tampa, in 2023.
Overall Score: 3.9/5 Stars
Common Praises
Supportive and Understanding Faculty: Many positive reviews mention that the teachers and staff were “really nice and understanding,” making the environment feel like visiting “family.” They were praised for being supportive of students with personal or medical conditions.
Small, Focused Learning Environment: Students appreciated the individual attention they received, feeling the college was dedicated to “student success” and helping them prepare for their chosen trades or medical certifications.
Good Starting Experience: Some students in the earlier years reported a positive experience with their program, excellent instructors, and a clean, comfortable campus.
Common Criticisms
“Scam” Accusations and High Cost: This is the most severe and frequent criticism in the later years. Students reported paying very high tuition to “watch YouTube videos in class” and learn only from textbooks, concluding the school was a “scam” that taught them “nothing.”
Administrative and Financial Misconduct: Several students reported major issues, including being scammed out of large amounts of money being denied enrollment after paying for background checks, and general administrative rudeness/incompetence, especially when asking about the school’s status before the closure.
Veterans Warning: One reviewer specifically advised veterans to “stay away from this school” due to perceived financial issues.
Shady History: The college’s history as part of the defunct, for-profit Everest University/Corinthian Colleges chain is mentioned, adding to the perception that the school was financially unstable and potentially exploitative.
Momentum
In the years leading up to its closure, the school’s momentum was overwhelmingly negative. The reviews from this period were dominated by accusations of poor academic quality, financial exploitation, and severe administrative issues, directly aligning with the historical misconduct of its parent company, Corinthian Colleges. The continued presence of these severe negative reviews, including those from students who felt they were scammed, shows a rapid decline in student trust and satisfaction that ultimately preceded the school’s final closure.