University of Idaho is considering acquiring University of Phoenix for $550 million to address declining college-age students. Critics, including U.S. senators and nonprofits, question the partnership due to Phoenix's history of low graduation rates and deceptive practices. President C. Scott Green views it as a revenue opportunity, but concerns about the deal's risks and controversies persist. This move reflects a trend of public universities partnering with for-profit entities to boost online enrollment, amid projections of a nationwide decline in college enrollment.