Apollo Group Inc. Announces New Degree Program in Criminal Justice and Expansion Into Idaho.

Business Editors/Education Writers

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2001

Apollo Group Inc., (Nasdaq: APOL), Wednesday announced that its subsidiary, the University of Phoenix, received approval from its accrediting body, The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, to offer another new degree program -- the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.

The University of Phoenix has also received approval to operate in the state of Idaho.

Approval of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The accreditation approval to offer a baccalaureate degree program in Criminal Justice Administration returns the University to its roots.

The concept for the University of Phoenix, an institution designed solely around the needs of working adults, was born more than 25 years ago when Dr. John G. Sperling created an educational program for police and firefighters to provide an option for working adults to complete their education without leaving the workforce.

With this new degree program, the University is once again extending education programs and services to the professional sector from which it was launched.

The new Criminal Justice Administration program was developed in partnership with Prentice-Hall, one of the largest and most comprehensive criminal justice textbook publishers.

Prentice-Hall has provided content and expertise from its authors, while the University of Phoenix College of Human Services brings expertise in building and delivering relevant and compelling educational programs designed for adults in the workforce.

Sperling commented, "Today there are more academic options for working men and women, but one thing that has not changed is the need for well educated and trained professionals in municipal, state and national public safety agencies.

"The Criminal Justice Administration degree offered by the University of Phoenix, with its emphasis on interpersonal skills and administration, is designed for criminal justice professionals who wish to advance in their career."

Approval in Idaho

With approval from its accrediting body to operate in the state of Idaho, the University of Phoenix is anticipating opening a campus in Boise, Idaho in fall, 2001.

"We are pleased to be bringing our programs for working adults to the state of Idaho and we look forward to establishing strong alliances with the Boise education and business communities," said Sperling.

"Our work in other locations with local colleges, universities and businesses has been both rewarding and mutually beneficial. We hope to continue in this cooperative spirit while providing the working citizens of Idaho another educational resource."

Apollo Group Inc. has been providing higher education programs to working adults for more than 25 years. Apollo Group Inc. operates through its subsidiaries The University of Phoenix Inc., Institute for Professional Development, The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp., Western International University Inc. and Apollo Learning Group Inc.

The consolidated enrollment in its educational programs makes it the largest private education company in the United States. It offers educational programs and services at 56 campuses and 101 learning centers in 35 states, Puerto Rico and Vancouver, British Columbia. Combined degree enrollment was approximately 111,300 students as of Feb. 28, 2001.

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

This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act").

Apollo Group Inc. claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the terms "may," "believes," "projects," "expects," or "anticipates," and do not reflect historical facts.

Specific forward-looking statements contained in this press release relate to the opening of a campus in Boise in fall, 2001.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Apollo Group Inc. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions of us and our management and speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, or any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may bear upon forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.