Online College Review: Should I Go to DeVry University?
January 5, 2026
DeVry University is a private, for-profit institution founded in 1931 that delivers career-focused online education in technology, business, cybersecurity, and healthcare administration to working adult learners. This review covers what DeVry offers, what its accreditation and outcomes data show, what it costs, and how it compares to alternatives so prospective students can make an informed enrollment decision.
| Quick Facts | DeVry University |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Institutional type | Private, for-profit |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Delivery model | Primarily online; small number of physical locations |
| Degree levels | Certificates, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s |
| Graduate programs | Keller Graduate School of Management (MBA, accounting, IT management, project management) |
| ABET accreditation | IT and Software Development programs (CAC – Computing Accreditation Commission) |
| Primary student population | Working adults; average student is employed at time of enrollment |
| Strongest program areas | Technical management, IT, cybersecurity, business administration, health information technology |
What DeVry University Is
DeVry University is a for-profit institution with nearly a century of operational history in applied, technology-oriented career education. It operates primarily online with a small number of campus locations and serves a student body that is predominantly composed of working adults who are either seeking advancement in their current careers or transitioning to adjacent fields.
DeVry is accredited by HLC (Higher Learning Commission), one of the seven U.S. Department of Education-recognized regional accrediting bodies. Its graduate programs operate through the Keller Graduate School of Management, which functions as a separate academic brand within the DeVry family offering MBA and specialized business master’s programs.
The most important context for evaluating DeVry is its for-profit status. Like Rasmussen and AIU, DeVry generates returns for investors rather than reinvesting surplus revenue in academic programs. This creates institutional incentive structures that differ from nonprofit and public institutions, and it is associated historically with higher average debt loads, lower average earnings in some fields, and lower completion rates at the sector level. None of these patterns apply uniformly to every for-profit institution, and the appropriate response is program-specific due diligence rather than categorical avoidance or categorical acceptance.
Accreditation: What HLC Means and What Else to Verify
DeVry holds HLC regional accreditation, which means federal financial aid eligibility, general employer recognition of the credential, and credit transferability to other regionally accredited institutions. This is the same accrediting body that covers major public and nonprofit private universities in the Midwest and beyond.
For prospective students, HLC accreditation is the necessary minimum. For DeVry specifically, the more important verification is at the program level.
Programmatic Accreditation
| Program Area | Accreditation Status | Practical Significance |
| IT and Software Development programs | ABET (CAC – Computing Accreditation Commission) | Computing accreditation; recognized by many technology employers; meaningful for software and IT roles |
| Business programs (undergraduate) | No AACSB or ACBSP as of available data; verify directly | No programmatic business accreditation limits graduate school access at programs requiring AACSB/ACBSP credentials |
| Keller MBA and graduate business | No AACSB; verify ACBSP directly | Graduate business credential without AACSB; affects competitive employer and grad school recognition |
| Health Information Technology | CAHIIM alignment; verify current status | Supports RHIT credential eligibility; verify with CAHIIM directory |
ABET computing accreditation for DeVry’s IT and software programs is a meaningful differentiator in the technology field. ABET is the recognized accreditor for computing and engineering programs, and many technology employers, particularly in defense and federal contracting sectors, specifically look for ABET credentials. For students targeting IT and software development careers, DeVry’s ABET status is a genuine positive that many comparable for-profit online institutions do not offer.
The absence of AACSB or ACBSP business accreditation is a limitation for business program students who are planning to apply to graduate business programs that specify programmatic accreditation. Verify the current accreditation status of any specific program you are considering directly through the relevant accrediting body’s directory, not through institutional marketing materials.
For a complete guide to accreditation, see: What Makes an Online University Legitimate?
Programs Available
Undergraduate Programs
| Program | Degree Level | Notes |
| Technical Management | Bachelor’s | Largest enrollment area; combines technical and management skills for IT leadership roles |
| Information Technology and Networking | Associate, Bachelor’s | ABET (CAC) accredited; strongest accreditation differentiator at DeVry |
| Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing | Bachelor’s, Certificate | ABET accredited; growing employer demand; pair with CompTIA certifications |
| Business Administration | Associate, Bachelor’s | No AACSB or ACBSP; verify business accreditation status directly |
| Accounting | Bachelor’s | Verify CPA exam preparation alignment with your state board requirements |
| Health Information Technology | Associate, Bachelor’s | CAHIIM-aligned; supports RHIT/RHIA credential eligibility |
Keller Graduate School of Management (Graduate Programs)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Accounting and Financial Management
- Master of Information Systems Management
- Master of Project Management
- Graduate certificates that stack into master’s degree completion
Keller’s graduate programs are designed around a stackable credential model where students can earn graduate certificates in project management, human resource management, or accounting that later convert to credits toward a master’s degree. This structure lowers the upfront commitment and cost of beginning graduate study, which has practical appeal for working adults who are uncertain about completing a full master’s program at enrollment.
The For-Profit Context: Due Diligence Standards
DeVry’s for-profit status is one of the most consequential facts for prospective students to understand and evaluate directly. For-profit universities operate under different incentive structures than nonprofits and public institutions: revenue and returns flow to investors rather than back into academic programs, and institutional decisions about tuition pricing, enrollment growth, and marketing investment are made in a profit-optimization context.
The federal for-profit sector data on debt loads and earnings outcomes is not flattering on average, but sector averages mask wide variation between institutions and programs. The right approach is not categorical rejection or categorical acceptance of for-profit institutions. It is applying a higher standard of individual program verification for for-profit enrollment decisions.
Key Questions to Answer Before Enrolling at DeVry
- Look up your specific target program on the College Scorecard at collegescorecard.ed.gov and compare median graduate earnings against the same program at SNHU, WGU, and a public in-state alternative. Is DeVry competitive?
- Verify ABET accreditation for any IT or software program you are considering through the ABET directory at abet.org. ABET status is a genuine differentiator worth confirming
- Verify the current business accreditation status of any business program through AACSB and ACBSP directories directly, not through DeVry marketing materials
- Ask DeVry’s financial aid office for a specific net price estimate for your program based on your transfer credits and expected financial aid, not the published sticker price
- Research DeVry’s cohort default rate on federal student loans compared to nonprofit alternatives: a declining default rate is a meaningful signal, but the comparison against nonprofits matters
What DeVry Reports on Outcomes
DeVry discloses that it has maintained five consecutive years of tuition freezes and has increased scholarship and tuition savings availability by 51% since 2020. Cohort default rates on federal loans have declined relative to the for-profit sector average. These are positive institutional trends worth noting.
Because most DeVry students are already employed at the time of enrollment, traditional job placement statistics do not accurately capture the value the credential provides. Students enrolled for advancement, promotion, or credential validation within their current employer are counted differently than students seeking new employment after graduation. This is an honest limitation of placement-rate comparisons and is worth keeping in mind when evaluating any outcomes data at an institution primarily serving working adults.
For a complete framework on evaluating debt versus expected outcomes, see: Is Student Loan Debt Worth It for an Online Degree?
Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition Structure
DeVry charges tuition on a per-credit basis with rates varying by program and degree level. Associate and certificate programs carry lower total costs. Bachelor’s programs represent a mid-range investment within the private online sector. Graduate programs through Keller are priced competitively within the private online MBA market.
DeVry does not publish a simple flat per-credit rate as a single public figure, which makes direct comparison against institutions like SNHU ($330/credit) more difficult. Request specific per-credit and total program cost figures from DeVry’s enrollment team before making cost comparisons.
Cost Comparison
| Institution | Type | Approx. UG Per-Credit | Key Differentiator |
| DeVry University | For-profit | Request directly (varies) | ABET IT/software; stackable Keller credentials |
| SNHU Online | Private nonprofit | $330/credit | Lower cost; 200+ programs; ACBSP business |
| WGU | Private nonprofit | ~$4,270/6-month term | Lowest cost; ACBSP business; competency-based |
| Purdue University Global | Public nonprofit | ~$371/credit | Public-brand; military focus; similar price to DeVry |
| Public in-state online (avg.) | Public | $150-$300/credit | Lowest cost; availability varies by program and state |
For guidance on the full financial aid process, see: FAFSA for Online Students: What to Know Before You Apply and The Safest Way to Finance an Online Bachelor’s Degree
The Academic Experience
Eight-Week Accelerated Terms
DeVry courses are delivered in eight-week accelerated sessions with defined start and end dates. Students take one or two courses per session, following a structured weekly schedule with assignments, discussions, and applied projects. This is not a self-paced model. The structured pacing is intentional and designed for working adults who benefit from external accountability and predictable deadlines.
Applied, Scenario-Based Curriculum
DeVry’s instructional philosophy emphasizes applied projects and scenario-based assignments that mirror workplace tasks rather than theoretical academic exercises. In technology and business programs, this translates to coursework that produces portfolio-relevant work products: network configurations, security assessments, business plans, and project management deliverables. For students who are immediately applying coursework to their current jobs, this applied orientation is a practical advantage over more abstract academic approaches.
Stackable Credentials at Keller
One structural feature of DeVry’s graduate model that has genuine practical value is the stackable credential design at Keller. Graduate certificates in project management, human resource management, accounting, or IT management can be completed in less time and at lower cost than a full master’s degree, and the credits from completed certificates apply toward the master’s if the student chooses to continue. This allows working adults to earn a marketable credential at each stage rather than committing to the full degree from the start.
DeVry vs. Key Alternatives
DeVry vs. SNHU (for Business and IT)
SNHU charges $330 per credit with ACBSP business accreditation and over 200 programs. For most business program comparisons, SNHU is more cost-competitive and holds stronger programmatic business accreditation than DeVry. For IT and software specifically, DeVry’s ABET computing accreditation may be a meaningful differentiator over SNHU, depending on the target employer’s accreditation preferences.
DeVry vs. WGU (for IT and Business)
WGU is a nonprofit competency-based institution offering IT, business, and healthcare programs at approximately $4,270 per six-month term. WGU holds ACBSP business accreditation and ABET-recognized IT programs. For self-directed learners who can demonstrate competency quickly, WGU’s flat-rate model typically produces a significantly lower total cost than DeVry at comparable or better programmatic accreditation levels for business. For students who need structured weekly faculty-led coursework with defined pacing, DeVry’s model is more appropriate.
DeVry vs. Purdue Global (for Working Adults)
Purdue Global operates as a public-branded institution (formerly Kaplan University) at per-credit rates similar to DeVry’s range. Both serve working adult populations with similar program mixes. Purdue Global’s public brand may provide marginally stronger employer recognition in some markets. Program-specific College Scorecard earnings comparison is the most reliable basis for choosing between the two for a specific program area.
Who Should and Should Not Seriously Consider DeVry
DeVry May Be Worth Considering If:
- You are pursuing IT or software development programs specifically, where ABET (CAC) computing accreditation is a genuine differentiator that you have confirmed matters to your target employers
- You have compared College Scorecard earnings outcomes for your specific target program at DeVry against SNHU, WGU, and public alternatives and found them competitive
- The stackable credential model at Keller is specifically appealing: you want to earn a graduate certificate credential first and build toward an MBA rather than committing to the full degree from the start
- You are already employed and seeking a credential for advancement within your current employer, where the DeVry credential is recognized or accepted
Research Alternatives Carefully Before Enrolling If:
- You have not looked up your specific program on the College Scorecard and compared median graduate earnings against nonprofit alternatives. This is the single most important pre-enrollment step for any for-profit institution
- You are pursuing business programs and need AACSB or ACBSP programmatic business accreditation for graduate school access or employer recognition: verify DeVry’s current business accreditation status directly before assuming it qualifies
- Cost is a primary constraint: SNHU at $330/credit and WGU’s flat-rate model are substantially lower cost for comparable or better accreditation in most program areas
- You are considering the Keller MBA specifically: compare College Scorecard earnings outcomes for Keller MBA graduates against SNHU’s MBA and WGU’s MBA, both of which carry ACBSP accreditation at lower total cost
The Bottom Line
DeVry University is an HLC-accredited for-profit institution with genuine strengths in ABET-accredited IT and software programs and a stackable credential model at Keller that has practical appeal for working adults who want to build graduate credentials incrementally. These are real features, and for the right student in the right program, they produce real value.
The case for thorough pre-enrollment research is standard for any for-profit enrollment decision. Look up your specific program on the College Scorecard. Verify ABET and business accreditation status through the relevant directories. Request specific cost figures and compare them against SNHU, WGU, and public in-state alternatives. For students who do that research and find that DeVry’s ABET IT programs, stackable credential structure, or specific program outcomes are genuinely competitive with alternatives, it can be a defensible enrollment choice. For students who skip that research, the risk of a suboptimal outcome is higher than at institutions where the default outcomes data is more clearly favorable.
Related Reading
- What Makes an Online University Legitimate?
- Is Student Loan Debt Worth It for an Online Degree?
- The Safest Way to Finance an Online Bachelor’s Degree
- Which Online IT Degree Has the Best Career Outlook?
- What Is the ROI of an Online Business Degree?
- FAFSA for Online Students: What to Know Before You Apply
- Do Online Degrees Really Increase Salary? What the Data Shows
Sources: Higher Learning Commission accreditation database; ABET accreditation directory (abet.org); AACSB accredited institution list; ACBSP accredited institution list; CAHIIM program directory; U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for-profit institution




