Private Colleges Are a Scam Finfluencer Exposes Fees and Placements

Are Private Colleges Failing Students? A Closer Look at Fees and Placements

If you’re thinking about pursuing higher education in India, you’ve likely come across a maze of private colleges promising glittering futures. But are they really delivering?

Recently, a well-known financial influencer – often called a finfluencer – stirred the conversation by calling out private colleges for what he described as a “scam.” According to him, the rising college fees don’t line up with the falling quality of jobs offered to graduates. Let’s dive deeper into what’s going wrong — and what you should watch out for.

Why Are Private Colleges Being Called a Scam?

Let’s start with the basics.

India has more than 1,100 universities, and most of them are private institutions. According to the finfluencer, a whopping 99% of these private colleges are simply not worth the money students and their families are putting into them.

Here’s the issue:

Sky-high fees: Many private colleges charge lakhs of rupees for degrees that don’t guarantee better career opportunities.
Weak placements: Even after spending a fortune, students are struggling to get jobs — and if they do, the salaries often don’t match the investment made.
Quality concerns: Teaching quality, infrastructure, and curriculum often fall short compared to the promises made during admissions.

It’s frustrating to think about. Imagine investing four years of your life and a mountain of money, only to end up unemployed or underemployed.

The Growing Gap Between Costs and Careers

You might wonder — why are fees increasing so much when job placements are getting worse? It’s a fair question.

Here’s what’s happening:

Operational costs: Colleges argue they need higher fees to maintain campuses, pay staff, and introduce technology.
Profit motives: In reality, many private colleges operate as businesses first and educational institutions second.
Brand building over substance: Huge marketing budgets are spent on flashy ads instead of improving education quality.

A personal story comes to mind. One of my friends enrolled in a private engineering college. They promised 100% placements during admission. However, four years later, fewer than 20% of students found decent jobs through campus recruitment. The rest had to scramble on their own.

Doesn’t that feel like a breach of trust?

What Students Are Really Paying For

It’s easy to think that a fancy campus, modern buildings, or international tie-ups mean better education. But let’s break it down.

You’re actually paying for:

The brand name: Some colleges invest more in marketing than in education quality.
A large network: Alumni and industry tie-ups matter, but aren’t always strong or active.
A degree certificate: Sadly, without real skills, the certificate itself isn’t enough anymore.

When colleges focus more on appearance than substance, students bear the hidden cost — wasted time, money, and lost opportunities.

How to Choose the Right College

All colleges are not bad. There are private institutions doing excellent work. The trick is knowing how to spot them.

Here are some tips to help you make a smart decision:

Research placements: Don’t just trust glossy brochures. Dig deeper into actual placement reports and average salary packages.
Check faculty profiles: Good faculty usually means better education outcomes. Look at their qualifications and industry experience.
Talk to alumni: Reach out to past students on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about what it’s really like there.
Assess return on investment (ROI): Compare the total fees you’ll pay with the average salary you’re likely to earn after graduation.
Look beyond rankings: Just because a college appears on a ranking list doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for you.

Ask yourself: Are you paying for quality education or just the illusion of prestige?

The Bigger Picture: Education vs Employability

One reason many private colleges underdeliver is that they teach for degrees, not for skills. In today’s world, employers care less about where you studied and more about what you can actually do.

Think about it. Would you rather hire someone with hands-on experience or someone who just passed exams?

If private colleges don’t focus on building real-world skills, they end up producing graduates who are “qualified” on paper but unemployable in practice.

What You Can Do to Stay Ahead

Even if you’ve already enrolled in a private college or are planning to, there are ways to boost your chances of success.

You can:

Build real skills: Take online courses, join workshops, and get certifications in your field of interest.
Intern early and often: Practical experience is worth more to employers than a perfect GPA.
Network actively: Attend industry events, connect with professionals, and build your personal brand online.
Start small projects: Showcase your abilities with freelance work or small business ideas during college itself.

At the end of the day, your career is in your hands more than anyone else’s.

Is It Time for a New Way of Thinking About Education?

Education in India is changing. Companies are increasingly hiring based on skills and portfolios, not just degrees.

Have you noticed how many successful people are self-taught or learned outside traditional systems?

The point is — while degrees are still important for many jobs, they’re not the only path anymore. You have options. You can design your learning journey in a way that makes sense for you and your career goals.

Final Thoughts

Private colleges aren’t automatically bad, but blind trust can be dangerous. With fees climbing and placements slipping, it’s smart to pause, research, and ask tough questions before committing.

Remember: