DeVry University

Lisle, Illinois, United States · Est. 1931 · Private University

For-profit university offering online and campus-based programs across technology, business, and healthcare fields.

  • Founded in 1931 as De Forest Training School; now operates under Cogswell Education (since 2018)
  • Private for-profit institution with 27,867 students across 11 states and online
  • Main campus in Lisle, Illinois; accredited by Higher Learning Commission
  • Six areas of study: Accounting, Business, Healthcare, Technology, Liberal Arts, Media Arts & Technology
  • Subject to multiple government investigations and lawsuits; $100M FTC settlement (2016) and $71M+ student loan discharge (2022)
  • Six-year graduation rate of 28%; median salary ranges $23,000–$62,000 depending on field

Academics

DeVry offers undergraduate and graduate programs in six areas: Accounting, Business, Healthcare, Technology, Liberal Arts, and Media Arts & Technology. Most degree programs are available at associate's and bachelor's levels, with various certificate programs in specialized fields. The university operates on a uniform academic calendar of six eight-week sessions and has offered online courses since 1998 for graduate students and 2001 for undergraduates. Engineering technology programs are accredited campus-by-campus by the Higher Learning Commission.

Campus & Locations

DeVry operates multiple campuses across 11 states including California, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, New York, and others, with significant enrollment in Illinois (26,384 students including online). The main campus and headquarters relocated to Lisle, Illinois in 2023. All physical campuses were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). The university has experienced substantial campus closures since 2015, reducing from 90 learning sites to current operations.

Admissions & Student Outcomes

DeVry serves both traditional and working adult students through flexible scheduling and online options. However, student outcomes have been concerning: the six-year graduation rate is 28%, and the five-year student loan default rate is 43% according to Brookings Institution. Median salary after graduation ranges from $23,000 to $62,000 depending on field and location. The institution has faced significant regulatory scrutiny regarding enrollment practices and job placement claims.

Regulatory & Legal History

DeVry has been subject to extensive government investigations and lawsuits since the 1990s. In 2016, the FTC settled a $100 million suit alleging deceptive advertising about job placement and earnings. In 2022, the U.S. government discharged over $71 million in student loan debt for 1,800 former students based on fraud claims. More than 30,000 borrower defense claims remain pending. The institution was suspended from the Veterans Administration's Principles of Excellence program in 2016.

Founded
1931
Type
Private University
Courses
11
Total intake
Not yet verified
Websitehttps://www.devry.edu/
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
11
Avg career outcomes
$46K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources