U. of Phoenix Will Lay Off 470 Employees

The University of Phoenix is laying off 470 employees, nearly 8 percent of its work force, reports KTVK, a television station in Phoenix.

“This difficult decision came after careful deliberation and analysis with a focus on streamlined workflow serving fewer students than in years past, improved use of technology, and ultimately an approach that ensures our students have the transformative experience that leads to higher retention and improved learning outcomes,” the university’s president, Timothy P. Slottow, wrote on Tuesday in a letter to the company quoted by KTVK.

The University of Phoenix has seen its profits drop in the last few years, leading to cutbacks in associate-degree programs. Its parent company, the Apollo Education Group, was sold to a group of investors for $1.1 billion in February.