The university education industry is growing and we have been covering the companies that are leading the way. Last May, Career Education (NASDAQ: CECO) was investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for possible violation of securities laws, but the SEC’s Midwest regional branch reportedly plans to recommend that the federal agency terminate your Career Education research. Career Education operates more than 80 campuses and an online education division.

ITT Educational Services (NYSE: ESI), headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, recently opened a second location in the Lexington, Kentucky area, with classes beginning in June 2006. The Lexington institute is licensed by the Council on Postsecondary Education of Kentucky and is accredited by the Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to offer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs.

Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL) has been a provider of higher education programs for working adults for nearly 30 years. Apollo Group Inc. operates through its subsidiaries: The University of Phoenix Inc., Institute for Professional Development, The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp., and Western International University Inc. They were just ranked #1,335 on the magazine’s list Forbes of the 2000 largest companies in the world.

The College Partnership (OTC: CGPA) has just added a key player to its executive team with the appointment of former Baltimore City Councilman of 13 years, Joseph J. DiBlasi, as its new director of sports marketing. He was also the president of Davalli, DiBlasi Associates, LLC., a sports marketing company. He has worked with teams and franchises such as the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Bucks, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Major League Baseball Alumni, and USA Baseball. The company seeks to emerge as a leader in the college planning business.

DeVry University (NYSE: DV) added a new online Health Information Management (HIM) technical specialty within its Bachelor of Technical Management (BSTM) program beginning in May 2006. They will also offer classes face-to-face at their location of Arlington, Virginia, as of July 2006.