Brightwood Colleges

Brightwood College was a system of for-profit post-secondary institutions in the United States that specialized in vocational training, with a primary focus on healthcare and allied health professions. The college offered a variety of diploma and associate degree programs, including medical assisting, nursing, dental assisting, pharmacy technician training, and health information technology. Formed in 2015 after Education Corporation of America (ECA) acquired several campuses from Kaplan Higher Education, the institution operated dozens of locations across states such as Texas, California, and Maryland. In December 2018, Brightwood College abruptly closed all of its campuses nationwide following the loss of its accreditation and the subsequent financial collapse of its parent company. The closure impacted thousands of students and employees, marking a significant event in the oversight of for-profit healthcare education.