9 Things You Didn’t Know About DeVry University’s 95-Year History

Before launching a university, Dr. DeVry invented the Model E “Theater in a Suitcase,” a 35mm portable silent motion picture projector that became widely used as an educational tool in schools across the U.S.

But why stop at ground level? In 1921, that same projector was used to show the first in-flight movie — decades before streaming at 30,000 feet was imaginable.

The success of the Model E sparked Dr. DeVry’s drive to make technology practical and accessible. He joined forces with Dr. Lee DeForest, inventor of the vacuum tube, to establish DeForest Training, Inc., a school focused on preparing students for technical careers — and the foundation of what would eventually become DeVry University.

In 1957, we offered our first associate degree program, the Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology. Just over a decade later, in 1969, we introduced our first bachelor’s degree in the same field.

Career readiness has always guided our curriculum design and development, from those early degree programs to today’s extensive undergraduate and graduate offerings in business, healthcare, and technology.

During World War II, our training school was selected to educate Army Air Corps instructors on electronic equipment. Soon after, we became one of the first schools to be approved under the G.I. Bill. We’ve been committed to serving veterans, military students, and their families ever since.

Former DeVry teachers Dennis Keller and Ronald Taylor founded our Keller Graduate School of Management in 1973 to serve working professionals seeking advanced business and management education.

In 2002, Keller and DeVry Institute of Technology merged to become DeVry University. The result? Expanded opportunities for students to pursue graduate and undergraduate degrees from a single university — and a seamless education experience that meets you where you are, at any point in your career journey.

In 1998, long before virtual learning became mainstream, we began offering online degrees.

The goal was to make education more accessible and flexible for working adults balancing careers, families, and other commitments.

That innovation in online education continues today, through hands-on learning, engaging curriculum, and industry-relevant technology. Whether you choose to learn online or at one of our nearly 20 campus locations,¹ our classes are offered every 8 weeks so you can start year-round, whenever you’re ready.

Academic excellence has been part of our mission since 1955, when our Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology earned accreditation from what is now the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. In 1981, we earned regional accreditation from what is now known as the Higher Learning Commission, a distinction we continue to hold.²

Like many schools with a long history, our name has evolved alongside our growth. From DeForest Training, Inc., to DeVry Technical Institute, DeVry Institute of Technology, and finally DeVry University in 2002, our name and program offerings may have changed, but our focus on career-relevant education remains the same.

In 2004, we launched DeVry University Advantage Academy. In partnership with Chicago Public Schools and select Georgia public schools, this no-cost, dual-enrollment program allows eligible 11th and 12th grade students to work toward a DeVry associate degree or undergraduate certificate while earning their high school diploma. It’s another example of how we expand access to education.

Just as we prepared students for careers in electronics in the 1950s, we’re now integrating AI learning across our curriculum to help you build relevant, future-ready skills. In fact, we’re adding AI classes to all of our programs by the end of 2026.

For 95 years, DeVry University has been revolutionizing education. From our first associate degree program offered in 1957 to the 140+ programs and specializations in business, technology, and healthcare we offer today, we remain dedicated to preparing you for real careers in a constantly evolving workforce.

And as industries continue to change, so do our programs. Developed with input from industry leaders, our modern curriculum integrates AI and digital skills while maintaining the hands-on, career-focused approach that has defined us for decades. Our flexible online learning options, supported by technology and personalized guidance, are designed to meet you where you are — so you can make education work with your life.