Vatterott College was a for-profit career training institute with programs at 16 campuses across the Midwest of the United States and online. It was operated by Vatterott Educational Centers, Inc., owned by the private equity firm TA Associates. The college also offered distance-learning programs, called eCompanion Courses, which allowed students to earn credits, diplomas and degrees through online classes. The same resources were available to distance education students and on-campus students.