The U.S. Department of Education has settled with DeVry University, a subsidiary of the for-profit DeVry Education Group, after the institution put unsubstantiated job-placement claims in its recruitment materials, the department announced in a news release on Thursday.
Last year, the department requested that DeVry provide data and information to back the institution’s claim that, since 1975, 90 percent of its graduates were employed in their field of study within six months of graduation. The Federal Student Aid Office determined that DeVry could not provide sufficient evidence to support that claim.
The settlement requires DeVry to post a five-year letter of credit no less than $68.4 million. The institution must also take steps to rid the internet of the “since 1975” marketing language on its own website and on websites not under its direct control.
“The settlement in no way hinders DeVry University’s ability to serve current or future students,” said a statement from the institution’s parent company, DeVry Education Group. “DeVry University is pleased to have resolved the notice in full cooperation with the department and continues to cooperate with the department to resolve the remainder of its August 2015 investigation.
The settlement allows DeVry University to continue communicating its strong student outcomes while providing assurances regarding the extent of its graduate employment data.”
DeVry is still facing a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over its job placement rates and claims.
Sherri E. White
