For most 25-year olds, $1.3 million is a hefty sum of money. In addition, most consumers of any age would jump at the chance to more than double their annual salary.

Sound like a fairytale? Well, it isn't. In fact, well over 1.5 million Americans jump at this opportunity each and every year, and their ranks have been swelling.

Specifically, we're talking about the economic benefits that are enjoyed by U.S. citizens with a college education. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average 25-year old worker with a high school degree earns about $1.0 million before the age of 65. By contrast, the average worker with a Bachelor's degree earns more than twice that amount during their working career -- over $2.0 million. Meanwhile, workers with a Master's degree earn still more -- $2.5 million in the same 40-year period.

In addition, the income gap has only been widening over time, and higher degrees are now offering an ever-greater advantage in the workplace. With this as a backdrop, it should come as little surprise that America's universities have seen enormous growth in demand for their services. In fact, the number of students enrolled in American universities jumped by nearly +30% between 1989 and 2005 -- a period when the U.S. population grew by barely half that amount. And according to U.S. Department of Education statistics, admissions are set to continue their steady rise over the next decade.

And it's not just Americans that are benefiting. The United States remains the world's most popular destination for international students -- in nations like China, Japan, and India, a U.S. degree spells increased opportunity and earnings at home. Some 600,000 foreigners are currently enrolled in U.S. institutions and many more are enrolled at online universities or campuses of U.S. universities located overseas.

Better still, students aren't the only ones able to profit from a good education -- publicly traded for-profit universities in the U.S. also offer investors a golden opportunity to cash in on this trend. Thanks to steady growth in admissions and unusually high profit margins, for-profit education providers have delivered exceptional revenue and earnings growth over the past several years.

The industry is also attractive for a variety of other reasons, including:

Online Expansion -- Many education companies have recently opened up online universities. This cuts down on costs because the university doesn't need to maintain a full-sized campus. The online option has also proven popular and convenient for busy, working adults and foreigners having trouble obtaining a student visa.

Barriers to Entry -- It isn't easy to set up a university and start offering degrees online -- companies must first go through a lengthy accreditation process that receives significant oversight from the government. Accreditation is not a rubber-stamp and requires considerable time, and expense to accomplish. Many employers will not accept non-accredited degrees and students can't transfer credits from non-accredited universities. This process gives an advantage to established players that have already been accredited.

Student Visa Law Changes -- In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, student visa laws were tightened and growth in foreign student admissions slowed. But visa laws enacted by the Department of Homeland Security have streamlined the process -- a move that will encourage faster growth in foreign student admissions.

Adult Students -- Traditional non-profit universities have been slow to encourage adult student admissions. In contrast, for-profit institutions actively encourage these students to enroll by offering convenient night classes and online options. Working adults also often have at least part of their education paid for by their employers. As a result, they're more likely to pay in a timely manner and can be charged higher rates.

As more people understand the value of having a higher education, for-profit educators should see an increase in their attendance rates, and thus, earnings. Investors may want to study the following table of the major players in the industry to determine if these stocks are right for them. 

Additional Industry Profiles . . .

Alcoholic Beverages Alternative Energy Bulk Shipping Casinos Coffee Retailers Consumer Staples Credit Cards Credit Ratings Debt Collection Deep Discounters Ethanol For-Profit Education Gold and Silver Grocery Retailers Healthcare Supplies & Services Natural Gas Online Travel Outdoor Advertising Railroads Satellite Radio Slot Machines Title Insurance Wineries

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