Amid scrutiny, for-profit colleges see enrollment slide

FILE - This Nov. 24, 2009, file photo, shows the entrance to the DeVry University in Miramar, Fla. Some of the nation’s largest for-profit college chains are suffering steep declines in enrollment amid heavier government scrutiny. DeVry University says the number of students taking classes is down 23 percent this year, and the University of Phoenix is off 22 percent. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File) (The Associated Press)

In this Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 photo, Beth Kulp poses for a photo in Hilliard, Ohio. Kulp withdrew from the for-profit college ITT Tech in Columbus when she heard it was in trouble. She considered other nearby for-profit colleges but feared they might close, too, so she transferred to Columbus State Community College. (AP Photo/Andrew Welsh-Huggins) (The Associated Press)

Some of the nation's largest for-profit college chains are suffering steep declines in enrollment amid heavier government scrutiny.

DeVry University says the number of students taking classes is down 23 percent this year, and the University of Phoenix is off 22 percent.

One reason: The government has imposed new rules on for-profit colleges and taken action against some schools to curb what authorities say are aggressive and misleading recruiting tactics that leave students with heavy debt and few job prospects.

In recent weeks, the Obama administration imposed sanctions that led the ITT Tech chain to close.