DeVry University-Illinois

With 17,174 undergraduates (40.6% full-time), DeVry caters primarily to working adults and part-time students. The Lisle campus offers "engaging classrooms" and flexible study spaces but no on-campus housing, creating a commuter-school vibe. Student reviews describe the environment as "clean and organized" but lacking traditional college social scenes. Online students access 24/7 counseling and wellness resources, though the Instagram presence highlights corporate-style motivational content over campus culture. Notably, the school invests heavily in marketing ($4,054 per student) relative to academic spending.

DeVry's outcomes are mixed at best:

• A 28% graduation rate (vs. 68% national avg for certificate colleges)
• Early-career salaries averaging $38,000
• Heavy reliance on federal aid (50% of students receive $7,395 in grants)
• CEO compensation reaching $6.3 million in past years

The school promotes employer partnerships and "industry-aligned" curricula, but the ROI is questionable given the $30,770 average annual cost. Veterans' groups have flagged concerns about outcomes for military students.

At $30,889 net price, DeVry is expensive for its sector, though 100% of students receive institutional grants (avg $1,084) and 50% get federal aid. The financial aid office emphasizes scholarships and tuition assistance, but Quora threads reveal confusion about coverage gaps. For comparison, the school spends $2,890 per student on profit—nearly matching its academic investment per veteran watchdog reports.

DeVry's singular trait is accessibility: night classes, online options, and minimal admissions barriers appeal to non-traditional students. However, its for-profit model—with high marketing budgets and CEO pay—draws criticism when weighed against low completion rates. The school fills a niche for career switchers needing flexibility but can't match the outcomes or affordability of community colleges.