Apollo Group, Inc. Announces Expansion Into Massachusetts

Phoenix, Arizona, March 14, 2000 -- Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:APOL) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, the University of Phoenix, has received state approval to offer postsecondary education in Massachusetts. Upon approval from our accrediting body, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, we anticipate enrolling students at our first location in the Boston area.

Dr. John G. Sperling, Chairman and CEO commented, "The opening of our new Boston campus will add to our growing presence in the Northeastern United States. Massachusetts is a very attractive market for the University of Phoenix and will allow us to continue to meet the increasing need for quality, affordable higher education designed for the working adult student."

Apollo Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries the University of Phoenix, Inc., the Institute for Professional Development, the College for Financial Planning Institutes Corporation, Western International University, Inc. and Apollo Learning Group, Inc., is a leading provider of higher education programs for working adults based on the number of working adults enrolled in its programs. The consolidated enrollment in our educational programs would make us the largest private institution of higher education in the United States. We currently offer our educational programs and services at 52 campuses and 85 learning centers in 35 states, Puerto Rico and Vancouver, British Columbia. Our combined degree enrollment was approximately 87,300 students at November 30, 1999.

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.