Apollo Group Inc. Announces NCA Approval to Operate in Maryland.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1998--Apollo Group Inc. (Nasdaq:APOL) Wednesday announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, the University of Phoenix Inc. (UOP), has received approval from its accrediting body, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), to operate in Maryland.

Dr. John G. Sperling, chairman and chief executive officer said, "The University of Phoenix received state licensure to operate in Maryland in June of this year, and just recently received the NCA's approval. We are pleased with how quickly the NCA granted this approval and feel that this is a positive step forward in our expansiInstitutes Corporation and Western International University Inc., is one of the largest providers of higher education programs for working adults in the United States, with total degree-seeking enrollment of approximately 71,400 students.

Educational programs and services are currently offered at 117 campuses and learning centers in 34 states, Puerto Rico and London, England.

For more information about Apollo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, call 800/990-APOL or visit Apollo on the World Wide Web at http://www.apollogrp.edu.

Note to Editors: This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.