The OPM market has exploded over the past decade. At least 550 colleges — the majority of which are public or private nonprofit — are working with such companies, according to the GAO report. It says this figure is likely an undercount and the true number of deals is unknown.
The report based its findings on information collected from seven of the largest OPM companies, as well as research firms that provided data on the scope of the market. Officials from five OPM companies that provide recruiting services told the GAO that colleges always pay them via revenue-share deals, while a sixth said those arrangements are typical but it also offers a set fee for services.
