Meritus University Programs Approved byNew Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education

Phoenix, Arizona, May 13, 2008 – Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL) (“Apollo Group”, “Apollo” or “the Company”) today announced that it plans to establish a new Canadian institution, named Meritus University (“Meritus” or “the University”). Following review of program proposals by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Meritus University has received approval to offer its first three programs from the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, thereby establishing degree-granting status. Meritus University will be based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, offering complete degree programs online to working professionals throughout Canada and abroad.

“We understand there is a value to Canadian education that transcends Canadian borders,” said Greg Cappelli, executive vice president of global strategy for Apollo Group. “Meritus University’s mission is to meet Canada’s growing demand for advanced education, while making Canadian education, which is highly-regarded internationally, accessible worldwide.”

Brian Mueller, president of Apollo Group, added, "With nearly a decade of presence in Canada through Apollo's University of Phoenix, Meritus University is delivering what Canadian students have been telling us they want – academic programs that are competitively-priced and market-relevant, taught by Canadian faculty who hold substantial positions across a wide spectrum of Canadian industries. Meritus University will reflect what Apollo’s institutions are known for and what Canadian students say their education should be -- mobile, global and very effective.”

New Brunswick is an attractive location because of its positive regulatory and business environment. Building upon Apollo Group’s advanced student support systems and New Brunswick’s highly-skilled labor pool, Meritus University is expected to be operational later this year.

Minister of Business New Brunswick, Greg Byrne, said, “Meritus will be a welcomed addition to the Fredericton business community. As we chart the course toward self-sufficiency, we know how important it is to create economic opportunities for the people of New Brunswick. Being the home of one of the oldest public universities in North America, and now the newest online degree-granting university in the world, speaks volumes about the progressive business and education environment in New Brunswick.”

The three programs approved by the Department are the Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Information Technology Management. Meritus University will not seek U.S. accreditation.

Canadian Media Contacts:
Maggie Fairs ~ Dicomm Media ~ 800-613-5205 ~ mfairs@dicommintl.com

U.S. Media Contact: Marla Sheiner ~ 602-557-1711 ~ marla.sheiner@apollogrp.edu