John Sperling, founder of for-profit University of Phoenix, dies at 93

John G. Sperling, founder of the for-profit University of Phoenix, has died, company officials said Sunday. He was 93.

Mark Brenner, chief of staff of the Apollo Education Group, the parent company of the University of Phoenix, said Sperling died Friday at a hospital near San Francisco. He did not provide a cause of death.

Sperling started the University of Phoenix in the 1970s and campuses were established around the country as it became a major company and leader in adult education and online classes.

He stepped down two years ago as executive chairman of its parent company.