Finding a college in a city as massive as Chicago is a headache. Honestly, it’s overwhelming. You’ve got the heavy hitters like UChicago and Northwestern, but then there’s the whole world of career-focused education that people constantly debate. If you’ve been looking into DeVry University Chicago IL, you’ve probably seen the ads, the mixed reviews, and the shiny campus photos. But what’s the real vibe?
It’s complicated.
DeVry isn’t your typical "ivy-covered walls and football games" kind of place. It’s a for-profit institution that has spent decades trying to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the cubicle. In Chicago—its ancestral home—the school has a massive footprint. But before you sign a promissory note for thousands of dollars, you need to understand the mechanics of how this place actually functions in the 2026 job market.
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The Chicago Roots of a Tech Pioneer
Most people don’t realize DeVry started right here. It wasn't always this corporate giant. Back in 1931, it was founded as DeForest Training School by Dr. Herman DeVry. He was an inventor. He literally invented the first portable movie projector.
Back then, the goal was simple: teach people how to fix radios and motion picture equipment. It was a trade school. Plain and simple.
Fast forward nearly a century, and the main presence for DeVry University Chicago IL has shifted significantly. While they used to have that iconic campus on West Addison Street (the one near Lane Tech), things have changed. They’ve leaned hard into the "metropolitan" model. Now, you’re looking at locations like the Loop campus at 225 West Santa Fe Trail or the Westminster campus. It’s more office building, less "Old Main."
What Programs Are Actually Worth It?
If you’re going to DeVry, you’re likely looking at Technology or Business. That’s their bread and butter.
Their Keller Graduate School of Management is integrated into the Chicago operations, offering MBAs that are specifically tailored for working adults. This is a huge distinction. If you’re 19 and want the "college experience," you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re 29, working a 9-to-5 in the West Loop, and need a degree to get that manager title, this is who they’re talking to.
Specifically, the programs in Cyber Security and Software Development are the ones getting the most traction lately. Why? Because Chicago’s tech scene—think companies like Grubhub, Motorola, and the various trading firms on the Board of Trade—is starving for people who actually know how to code, not just people who can talk about the history of computing.
The Accreditation Question
This is where people get tripped up. Let's be clear: DeVry University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
That matters.
It means your credits are more likely to transfer than they would from some fly-by-night unaccredited school. However, and this is a big "however," don’t expect every university to take every credit. Academic snobbery is real. If you try to transfer from DeVry to a top-tier research university, you might find some of your technical credits don't align with their liberal arts curriculum.
The Reality of the "For-Profit" Label
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. DeVry is for-profit.
For years, this sector of higher education has been under a microscope. The Department of Education has gone back and forth on "Gainful Employment" rules, which basically check if students are making enough money after graduation to pay back their loans.
In the past, DeVry faced significant legal scrutiny regarding their job placement claims. They settled with the FTC back in 2016 for $100 million over ads that claimed 90% of grads found jobs in their fields within six months.
Today, they are much more careful.
They’ve shifted their marketing. They focus heavily on their "Advantage60" programs and partnerships with companies like Cisco and Google. They’re trying to prove value by stacking industry certifications on top of degrees. It’s a smart move. In Chicago, having a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) often matters more to a hiring manager at a data center in Elk Grove Village than where your actual diploma came from.
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The Student Experience: It’s Not a Movie
Forget the Greek life. There are no fraternities throwing ragers at DeVry University Chicago IL.
The "campus" life is basically a series of high-tech classrooms and student lounges. It feels like a corporate training center. For some, that’s depressing. For others, it’s perfect. You go in, you do your lab work, you talk to your professor (who usually works in the industry during the day), and you go home.
Most of the students are commuters.
You’ll be sitting next to a veteran using their GI Bill, a mom of three career-switching into accounting, and maybe a few younger students who wanted a faster track than a four-year state school. The diversity is real, but it’s a professional diversity.
Tuition: Let’s Look at the Numbers
It isn't cheap.
Let's dispel the myth that for-profit means "budget." In many cases, DeVry can be more expensive than the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) but cheaper than a private non-profit like Loyola or DePaul.
You’re looking at roughly $450 to $600 per credit hour depending on the program and any grants you qualify for.
Chicago students often get access to specific "Bridge2Bachelor’s" programs if they’re transferring from the City Colleges of Chicago (like Malcolm X or Wilbur Wright). If you’re smart, you’ll do your Gen Eds at a community college for pennies on the dollar and then transfer to DeVry for the specialized tech stuff.
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Is the Degree Respected in Chicago?
This is the $50,000 question.
Honestly? It depends on who is reading your resume.
If you’re applying for a high-level strategy role at a boutique consulting firm, a DeVry degree might face some uphill bias. But if you’re applying for a Systems Administrator role, a Project Management position, or a Health Information Technology job at a place like Northwestern Medicine or Advocate Health, they care about what you can do.
DeVry’s curriculum is very "hands-on." They use the same software and hardware you’ll see in the field.
In the Chicago business community, there is a massive network of DeVry alumni. They are everywhere. From the IT departments of United Airlines to the logistics firms in Rosemont. That network is your secret weapon. If you go there, you have to lean into the career services department immediately. Don’t wait until senior year.
Crucial Considerations for Chicago Applicants
- The Location Factor: The Loop campus is great for commuters using the Metra or the "L." If you’re coming from the suburbs, check the schedules. Parking in the Loop will eat your lunch money.
- Hybrid Learning: Most Chicago students do a mix. Some classes onsite, some online. If you don’t have the self-discipline for online modules, this will be a struggle.
- Financial Aid: Sit down with the financial aid office and have them walk you through the "Net Price Calculator." Do not just look at the sticker price.
- Career Services: This is arguably the only reason to pay the premium. They have a team dedicated to the Chicago job market. Use them to fix your LinkedIn and get intro interviews.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re seriously considering DeVry University Chicago IL, don’t just take their word for it. The marketing is designed to sell. You need to do your own recon.
- Step 1: Check the College Scorecard. Go to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard website. Look specifically at the Chicago campus. Check the median salary one year after graduation for your specific major. If the debt-to-income ratio looks scary, walk away.
- Step 2: Scour LinkedIn. Use the "People" search on LinkedIn. Type in "DeVry University Chicago" and see where people with your intended degree are actually working. Message one of them. Ask: "Has the degree helped or hindered your Chicago job search?" Most people are surprisingly honest.
- Step 3: Compare the Transfer. If you have credits from a community college, get an official transfer evaluation before you enroll. Don’t take a verbal "oh, we usually accept those." Get it in writing.
- Step 4: Visit the Loop Campus. Walk the halls. See if the "corporate" energy fits your personality. If you feel like you're in an office building and you hate it, you'll hate the next four years.
Education is a business transaction. Treat it like one. DeVry offers a specific toolset for a specific kind of student—the one who wants to get in, get the skills, and get a paycheck in the Chicago market. If that's you, it might be a fit. If you want a "college experience," keep looking.