Apollo Group, Inc. Announces NCA Approval to Operate in Maryland

Phoenix, Arizona, November 18, 1998 -- Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:APOL) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, the University of Phoenix, Inc. (University of Phoenix), has received approval from its accrediting body, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), to operate in Maryland.

Dr. John G. Sperling, Chairman and CEO said, "The University of Phoenix received state licensure to operate in Maryland in June of this year, and just recently received the NCA’s approval. We are pleased with how quickly the NCA granted this approval and feel that this is a positive step forward in our expansion plans. We expect to open the campus in Maryland within the next 60 days."

Apollo Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries the University of Phoenix, Inc., the Institute for Professional Development, the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corporation and Western International University, Inc., is one of the largest providers of higher education programs for working adults in the United States, with total degree-seeking enrollment of approximately 71,400 students. Educational programs and services are currently offered at 117 campuses and learning centers in 34 states, Puerto Rico and London, England.

For more information about Apollo Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, call 1-800-990-APOL.

 This press release includes statements, which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.