DeVry University undergraduate enrollments accelerate in fall semester, up 22.7 percent

DeVry fall undergrad enrollment accelerates

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — For-profit education provider DeVry Inc. on Tuesday said fall enrollment for undergraduates at its DeVry University unit accelerated from a year ago as the bad economy drives students to school.

The Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., company said undergraduate enrollments rose 22.7 percent to 64,003, up from a 16.9 percent jump in 2008.

DeVry University, which offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology, health care technology, business and management, said the number of new undergraduate students increased 19.4 percent to 18,878. That was slightly below last year’s 19.7 percent growth.

DeVry also said the number of courses taken by graduate students increased 16.5 percent to 20,734 in the November session. That counts classes, not students — one student may be counted several times if he or she signs up for multiple classes. Last year, that measure rose 13.7 percent.

DeVry also said the number of online classes taken by both undergraduate and graduate students grew 22.5 percent, compared to 25.5 percent in 2008.

DeVry’s smaller Chamberlain College of Nursing and Apollo College and Western Career College divisions also increased student enrollments.

The education company’s shares rose $1.41, or 2.7 percent, to $53.99 in morning trading.