Abstract: Although the private higher education for-profit being in USA for a long time, but once always considered outside the mainstream of the higher education until the end of 20^th century. It got remarkable growth from 1980s that had draw many people attention, such as invstors, policymakers and educators. This paper introduced the history of the higher education for-profit in USA, and then, explored the reasons for why the higher education for-profit develop so quickly in past two decades, then, pointed out the traits of it in order to provide some experiences for the newly higher education for-profit in China.