DeVry University's Current Status and What It Means for Your Degree

DeVry University closed all of its campus locations and online programs in June 2024. If you were enrolled, you may be may be able to access for loan forgiveness or a teach-out period to finish your degree through another institution. If you are considering whether a DeVry degree you already hold is recognized by employers or graduate schools, the answer depends on when you earned it and what you plan to do with it.

DeVry held regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) throughout its operation, which means degrees earned before the closure are generally recognized as legitimate credentials. However, the university's closure means you cannot enroll in new programs there, and any credits you completed may or may not transfer to another school depending on that school's transfer policies.

Key Takeaways

  • DeVry University ceased all operations in June 2024, so new enrollment is not possible at any campus or online location.
  • Degrees earned from DeVry before the closure are accredited and recognized, but employers and graduate programs may have their own views on the institution's reputation.
  • If you were enrolled when DeVry closed, contact the National Student Clearinghouse or your state's higher education agency to learn about teach-out options and loan forgiveness.
  • Credits you completed at DeVry may transfer to another school, but each institution sets its own transfer rules and may not accept all of your coursework.
  • If you are looking for an online degree program similar to what DeVry offered, you will need to research other regionally accredited universities with comparable programs.

What Accreditation Means for Your DeVry Degree

DeVry held regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, which is one of six regional bodies that accredit colleges and universities in the United States. This accreditation is the standard that most employers, graduate schools, and professional licensing boards recognize. A degree from a regionally accredited institution carries more weight than one from an unaccredited or nationally accredited school.

Regional accreditation does not mean every employer will view your degree equally. Some employers have preferences about which schools they hire from, and DeVry's reputation in certain fields was mixed. However, the accreditation itself means your degree is legitimate and transferable in most contexts. If you earned a bachelor's degree from DeVry, you can pursue graduate school, professional certifications, or jobs that require a four-year degree.

The closure of the university does not retroactively remove accreditation from degrees already awarded. Your diploma remains valid. What changes is that you cannot use a DeVry degree as proof that you are currently enrolled or that you can transfer credits to DeVry for further study.

If You Were Enrolled When DeVry Closed

Students who were actively enrolled in DeVry programs when the university shut down in June 2024 had the right to either finish their degree through a teach-out arrangement or receive a refund. A teach-out is an agreement where another school finishes teaching your program so you can graduate. The National Student Clearinghouse maintains a database of teach-out arrangements and can tell you which school is handling your program.

To find your teach-out school, visit the National Student Clearinghouse website and search for DeVry. You will need your program name and the campus or online location where you were enrolled. If no teach-out was arranged for your specific program, you may be may be able to access for a tuition refund or loan forgiveness through the Department of Education's Borrower Defense to Repayment program.

Contact your state's higher education agency or the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office if you cannot locate your teach-out arrangement. Keep records of your enrollment, any tuition payments, and any communications from DeVry about the closure. These documents support any claim for refund or forgiveness.

How DeVry Credits Transfer to Other Schools

If you completed coursework at DeVry and want to transfer to another university, each school will review your transcript individually. There is no automatic transfer agreement that applies across all institutions. Some schools accept most or all DeVry credits; others accept only a portion or require you to retake certain courses.

The school you want to transfer to will evaluate your DeVry credits based on its own standards. They look at the course content, the grade you earned, and whether the course matches something in their own curriculum. A course you took at DeVry might transfer as an elective at one school but not count toward your major at another. This is true for credits from any university, not just DeVry.

Before you enroll at a new school, ask the admissions office how many of your DeVry credits they will accept and which ones. Request a transcript evaluation in writing so you have documentation of what transfers and what does not. This prevents surprises after you have already paid tuition.

DeVry's Reputation in Specific Fields

DeVry was known for business, technology, and engineering programs. In some fields, employers recognized DeVry degrees readily. In others, the university's reputation was weaker than traditional four-year colleges. This is a separate question from accreditation—your degree is accredited regardless of how a particular employer views the school.

If you hold a DeVry degree in information technology, business administration, or engineering, many employers in those fields will recognize it. If you are pursuing graduate school, some programs may view a DeVry degree as equivalent to a degree from a traditional university, while others may have stricter admission standards or require additional coursework. Graduate schools vary widely in their policies, so contact the programs you are interested in and ask directly.

Your work experience, skills, and test scores (such as the GRE or GMAT for graduate school) often matter more than where your undergraduate degree came from. A DeVry degree is not a barrier to employment or further education, but it may require you to demonstrate your qualifications more thoroughly in some contexts.

Finding an Alternative Online Degree Program

If you were planning to enroll at DeVry and want to find a similar program elsewhere, look for regionally accredited universities that offer online degrees in your field of interest. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the regional accreditors all maintain lists of accredited online programs. You can also search by program type—for example, "online bachelor's in business administration" or "online associate degree in information technology."

When comparing programs, check that the school holds regional accreditation, not just national accreditation. Confirm that the program is offered fully online if that is what you need. Ask about transfer policies if you have credits from DeVry or another school. Compare tuition, financial aid options, and graduation timelines. Many regionally accredited online programs cost less than DeVry did, and some are offered by large state universities.

You can also contact your state's higher education agency or a community college to ask about transfer pathways. Many students start at a community college, complete an associate degree, and then transfer to a four-year university to finish a bachelor's degree. This route is often cheaper and gives you more time to decide on a major.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my DeVry degree still valid after the university closed?

Yes. Your degree is accredited and recognized. The closure does not erase your credential or make it invalid. Employers and graduate schools will still recognize it as a legitimate degree from a regionally accredited institution. However, you cannot enroll in new programs or transfer additional credits to DeVry.

Can I get my tuition money back if I was enrolled when DeVry closed?

You may be may be able to access for a refund or loan forgiveness if you were enrolled when the university shut down. Contact the National Student Clearinghouse to find your teach-out arrangement, or reach out to the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office to ask about Borrower Defense to Repayment. may be able to access depends on your specific situation and when you enrolled.

Will employers accept my DeVry degree?

Most employers will recognize your DeVry degree as a legitimate credential because it is regionally accredited. However, some employers may have preferences about which schools they hire from. Your work experience, skills, and performance in interviews typically matter more than the name of your school. If you are concerned, focus on building your resume with relevant experience and certifications in your field.

Can I transfer my DeVry credits to another university?

It depends on the university. Each school sets its own transfer policies and will review your DeVry transcript individually. Some schools accept most of your credits; others accept fewer. Contact the admissions office at the school you want to transfer to and ask for a transcript evaluation before you enroll. This tells you exactly which credits will transfer.

What should I do if I cannot find information about my DeVry enrollment?

Start with the National Student Clearinghouse, which has records of teach-out arrangements for DeVry students. If you cannot find your program there, contact your state's higher education agency or the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office. Keep copies of any enrollment documents, tuition receipts, or emails from DeVry—these help prove your enrollment if you need to file a claim for refund or forgiveness.