Is DeVry University legit? First of all, DeVry University is legit per se. Now, why do people joke about this university, even resorting to calling it a scam? The reason is that Devry University is a for-profit school. Also, it is not accredited by the same people who would accredit a state college. Also, popular opinion shows that the standards are a lot lower. More simply, credits/degrees that you earn there are not accredited, which means they aren’t accepted at most state universities These are the general reasons people consider DeVry University a scam.
DeVry University is a school where students pay to get an education, and it’s one of the top choices for many in the US. Like many other schools where students pay tuition, DeVry offers the option to take classes online. But what sets DeVry apart is that they also provide hybrid classes. These classes are a combination of online learning and face-to-face sessions. Because of this unique offering, DeVry has set up multiple campuses all over the US.
If you’re considering DeVry University for your education, it’s essential to understand both the positive aspects and the challenges of attending. This understanding will guide you in making an informed decision about where to pursue your college degree.
Is DeVry University Legit?
DeVry University is often questioned regarding being legit. Some view it as a way for people to obtain a degree without undergoing rigorous academic training.
While you might earn a degree from DeVry, there’s a perception that it doesn’t carry the same weight as degrees from more traditional universities. Some people have had positive experiences with DeVry, but many professionals and educators don’t see it as a credible university.
Colleges can be categorized into two main types: not-for-profit and for-profit. DeVry falls into the for-profit category, which some liken to “diploma mills” due to their perceived lower academic standards. These institutions often appear in daytime TV ads and offer two-year programs.
A significant concern is that they might lack regional accreditation, which is crucial for transferring credits to other institutions. Instead, they might only have national accreditation. Make sure that any institution you consider attending has regional accreditation. If it’s a two-year program, check if they have agreements with local four-year schools for easy credit transfer.
About Devry University
DeVry University seems like it was established by someone in the business world, especially since it’s a for-profit institution. However, that’s not the case. The person behind its foundation was not just any business individual; he was a pilot and an inventor named Herman DeVry.
Herman wasn’t just known for founding the university; he was also the genius behind the creation of the portable movie projector. Moreover, he contributed several other inventions that played significant roles in the development of the motion picture industry.
The history of the university dates back to 1931. During its inception, it wasn’t even called DeVry University. Instead, it bore the name DeForest Training School, a tribute to Herman’s friend, Lee DeForest, who was credited with the invention of the three-electrode vacuum tube.
As the years went by, the institution underwent several name changes. In the early 1950s, it transitioned to being called the DeVry Technical Institute. Then, in the latter part of the 1960s, it adopted the name DeVry Institute of Technology. It wasn’t until 2002 that it took on the name we know today: DeVry University.
In 1973, two former teachers, Dennis Keller and Ronald Taylor, started the Keller Graduate School of Management, which focused on management courses. But when the DeVry Institute of Technology became DeVry University, the Keller school joined it.
Today, DeVry University has more than 50 locations and around 17,000 students in both online and face-to-face classes.
Pros of Devry University
Just because a school operates online for profit doesn’t automatically make it a scam. DeVry University is a good example of this type of university. Below are some DeVry University pros to take home.
Flexible Class Schedules
Many people decide to study online for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that they find it hard to travel to a physical classroom regularly. If you enroll at DeVry University, you have the advantage of completing your course right from the comfort of your home.
You don’t have to travel every day, so you can save a significant amount of money. This saving can be a big help, especially considering the high costs associated with getting a degree.
Another benefit is that you can choose to attend classes whenever they fit into your schedule.
One of the pros of DeVry University is that you can finish the program when you’re ready. For example, if life gets busy, you don’t have to rush to complete an associate’s degree in just two years. You decide if you want to take a bit longer or even finish quicker than most.
Reliable for Its Tech Courses
DeVry University offers quality courses in areas such as technology engineering, information technology, and software information systems. This strong focus on technology isn’t surprising, especially when you consider that the person who started DeVry University was an inventor.
If you look online, you’ll find many DeVry tech graduates talking about their success in the job market, which shows how effective the university’s tech programs are.
Thinking about studying a technology program online? Think about DeVry University. They offer associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
But remember, completing a tech program there doesn’t guarantee an amazing job. It’s true for any school, online or traditional. It’s how you use your knowledge and skills that matters in getting a job.
Hybrid Classes Option
Online schools are great, but they can limit student interactions. This can affect their social and communication growth, which is useful when job hunting. But DeVry University students don’t have this issue. The school offers in-person classes alongside online ones. These are called hybrid classes.
Hybrid classes combine online and face-to-face lessons. Students sometimes go to physical classrooms, giving them a feel of a regular school. The best part? They don’t need to travel every day, saving time and money.
DeVry University offers hybrid classes and has many locations in the US. The school says it has over 50 spots for students who like hybrid classes.
For example, there are 9 places in California and 6 in Illinois. Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and New York each have 3. Also, some DeVry University spots are on military bases. The school assists veterans and current military members.
Transferable College Credit
Sometimes, while studying in college, you might need to switch to another one. This can feel like starting from scratch. But if you’re at DeVry University, it’s easier. You can take your credits with you to another college.
DeVry University has regional accreditation, which is better than the national one. Through this regional accreditation, switching colleges has been made easy. The school’s special approval means your credits can be used in another college. So, if you switch, you won’t start as a new student.
Cons of Devry University
Like any university, DeVry shares its own portion of cons. These cons are often the reason people ask, “Is DeVry University legit?” in the first place.
Expensive
DeVry University is a for-profit school in the US, so they operate like a business, so their fees can be higher. Nevertheless, DeVry isn’t a scam school as most people call them out directly.
In the academic period spanning from 2018 to 2019, DeVry University’s Illinois branch set its tuition fee for an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree at $15,835. However, note that the tuition fee can vary from one school year to another. This fluctuation in cost is influenced by several factors, including the specific program a student chooses and the geographical location of the campus.
When you compare DeVry University’s tuition to other institutions, you’ll notice a significant difference. For instance, during the 2018 to 2019 school year, the average tuition fee for attending a community college stood at $3,660.
One silver lining for prospective students is that DeVry University holds regional accreditation. This status allows you to qualify for financial aid at both the federal and state levels. Such assistance can substantially offset the higher costs associated with attending an online, for-profit institution like DeVry.
Employer Preference for Traditional Degree
Many employers now value online degrees, especially if they’re from accredited schools. However, some people still have doubts about online education. Not just DeVry, but other online schools face this skepticism too. Some employers are hesitant about hiring someone with an online degree.
Sometimes the issue isn’t the degree itself. If someone lacks motivation, dedication, and skills, employers might not value their degree, no matter where it’s from.
DeVry Lawsuits and Settlement
If you’ve looked up DeVry University online, you might have come across news about a lawsuit involving the school. Some former students took legal action against DeVry University, claiming the university falsely advertised job and salary rates. These students were upset because they believed the school’s ads, which stated that 90% of its graduates found jobs within six months of graduating.
However, they found this wasn’t the case for them. The court eventually decided in favor of DeVry University, stating the students couldn’t prove the exact damage caused by the university’s claims. Despite this, DeVry had to pay a significant amount to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) due to a separate issue related to false advertising.
Some Employers at DeVry University Are Not Satisfied
Many students avoid the university because of negative feedback from its online school employees. Some former admissions advisors felt they were just telemarketing, even though their titles suggested otherwise. People generally claimed that the jobs were mostly about promoting programs on the phone. Thus, their tasks were considered dull.
Nevertheless, there have been some appreciations when it comes to pay and benefits. However, as a DeVry employee, you may not enjoy security. However, some employees claim that the university pays well.
It Seems DeVry University is Mainly for Military and Veterans
Getting a degree is mostly to help us find a better job. A good way to see if companies hire DeVry graduates is to use LinkedIn. If you’re on LinkedIn, search for the company. Next, click on the ‘Alumni’ section and look at the recent 5-10 years.
Many DeVry graduates are from the military. This is probably because online learning is common in the army. You can also use LinkedIn to find out if people in your desired field graduated from DeVry.
For example, if you’re curious about DeVry’s engineering program, look for engineers who graduated from there and reach out to them.
This Should Help You Make a Decision
No school is perfect. Every school, whether online, offline, for-profit, or non-profit, has its ups and downs. It’s something you should understand. In the case of DeVry, this university is 100% legit. Just that there have been concerns about their student success rates and job opportunities. If you search “Devry issues” online, you’ll find various discussions about them, particularly because they operate for profit.
I consider DeVry University expensive, with not-so-great faculty and limited lab resources.
If I must suggest, consider starting with a local community college and then transferring to a state university such as Berkeley, San Jose, or Davis—you can save money here.
Take your time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of attending DeVry University. Don’t hurry, as this decision will impact your future.
Besides picking the right school, it’s make sure to select the right program that aligns with your career goals.
DeVry Indicted by the FTC
In October 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gave notices to 70 for-profit schools about potential penalties. You can access the information here.
Even though the notice said it doesn’t mean the schools did anything wrong, the FTC wants to stop any unfair practices that might burden students with debt and not help their careers.
DeVry University was one of those schools. Time will tell if it’s a big issue, but now you know enough to decide.
