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 extensive government investigations and lawsuits; $100M FTC settlement (2016) and $71M+ student loan discharge (2022)
  • Six-year graduation rate of 28% (Illinois campus); median salary range $23,000–$62,000 by 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 and bachelor 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 (graduate) and 2001 (undergraduate). Engineering technology programs are accredited campus-by-campus by the Higher Learning Commission.

Campus & Student Life

DeVry operates multiple campuses across 11 U.S. states (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia) plus online programs. The main campus and headquarters are located in Lisle, Illinois, with the largest enrollment concentration there (26,384 students). All physical campuses were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022); significant campus closures occurred in 2015–2022, reducing the footprint from nearly 90 sites in 2010.

Admissions & Outcomes

DeVry has faced significant scrutiny regarding student outcomes and recruitment practices. The Illinois campus reports a six-year graduation rate of 28% for first-time full-time students (2013 cohort) and an 18% graduation rate per College Scorecard. The three-year federal student loan default rate is 11.2%, though a Brookings Institution report found a five-year default rate of 43%. Median salary after graduation ranges from $23,000 to $62,000 depending on field and location.

Regulatory & Legal History

DeVry has been subject to numerous investigations and settlements for alleged deceptive practices. In December 2016, the FTC settled a $100 million suit alleging false 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 have been filed; a case is pending in Illinois. The university was suspended from the Veterans Administration's 'Principles of Excellence' program in 2016.

Founded
1931
Type
Private University
Courses
10
Total intake
Not yet verified
Websitehttps://www.devry.edu/
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
10
Avg career outcomes
$46K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources