Career Education Students Assist Chef Wolfgang Puck at the Academy Awards Governors Ball.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) announced that 50 of its current California School of Culinary Arts ("CSCA") students assisted world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck and his staff at the Academy's post-Oscar(R)(1) -show Governors Ball on Sunday, February 27th, the official party for the 77th Academy Awards(R)(1).

This was Wolfgang's eleventh consecutive year creating the cuisine for the Governors Ball where Oscar(R) nominees, winners, presenters and performers celebrate after the Oscar(R) telecast. The CSCA culinary students had the opportunity to work alongside Wolfgang and his team of talented chefs from Wolfgang Puck Catering, to assist in the preparation and plating of the multi-course, sit-down meal for the Academy's approximate 1,600 guests. With its sixth consecutive year of participation in the event, CSCA had its chef-instructors nominate and recommend the 50 culinary students who worked at the Governors Ball.

"The experience to work for Chef Puck at the Governors Ball was invaluable, and I am pleased that my training and culinary degree allowed me the opportunity to join the prestigious Puck organization after I graduated," said Cynthia Platero, CSCA graduate and current pastry cook at Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events.

"We have enjoyed working with Wolfgang Puck's organization for many years," said CSCA founder, Christopher Becker.

"A highlight for hundreds of our students has been the excitement of working at the Academy Awards(R) Governors Ball each year, where they are in the kitchen working alongside Wolfgang and his team," Mr. Becker continued. "We are proud that CSCA is invited back each year to participate in the event and that Wolfgang has subsequently employed our graduates for both his various restaurants and catering operations."

About Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events:

Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events, formed in May 1998, moved to its permanent home in the new Hollywood & Highland(R) entertainment complex in November 2001. The 25,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, residence to the Academy Awards(R) annual Governors Ball, promises to set the standard in special event entertaining in Los Angeles. The Hollywood & Highland(R) location is also the site for Vert, the newest Wolfgang Puck restaurant concept, opened in February 2002. In addition to the success of its off-site catering operations in Los Angeles, Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events is also responsible for much of Chicago's most impressive catering, including Puck's at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Chicago's Gleacher Center and the Citadel Investment Group.

About California School of Culinary Arts:

California School of Culinary Arts ("CSCA") in Pasadena, California was founded in 1994 by Christopher Becker, a long-time CEC employee. CSCA offers the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu diploma through three different programs: A 15-month Culinary Arts Associates of Occupational Studies Degree, a 12-month Hospitality and Restaurant Management Diploma, or a 30-week Patisserie & Baking Diploma.

CSCA is one of 13 culinary schools owned by Career Education Corporation ("CEC"), one of the largest providers of private, postsecondary education. CEC partnered with the internationally renowned Le Cordon Bleu(R)(2) in Paris, France in 1999, to create Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America, a dynamic culinary alliance in North America. Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America is the world's largest provider of quality culinary arts education. Few institutions possess the distinguished reputation of Le Cordon Bleu, which established its first culinary school in Paris in 1895. Today, Le Cordon Bleu operates schools in London, Tokyo, Ottawa and Sydney in addition to its Paris location, and offers programs in Australia, Mexico and Brazil.

About Career Education Corporation:

Career Education Corporation (www.careered.com) is one of the largest providers of private, for-profit, postsecondary education and has a rapidly-growing presence in online education. CEC's Colleges, Schools and Universities Group operates 82 campuses in the U.S., Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates and offers doctoral degree, master's degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree and diploma programs in the career-oriented disciplines of visual communication and design technologies, information technology, business studies, culinary arts and health education. The Online Education Group operates American InterContinental University Online and Colorado Technical University Online and offers a variety of degrees in information technology, business, visual communication and education. CEC's total student population on January 31, 2005 was approximately 101,500 students.

(1) "Oscar" and "Academy Awards" are registered trademarks of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

(2) The Le Cordon Bleu logo is a registered trademark of Le Cordon Bleu B.V. Any use of the Le Cordon Bleu trademark for advertisement, promotional and marketing activities or references, without the expressed written consent of Le Cordon Bleu is prohibited.