(BPT) - High school graduation is a milestone worth celebrating - but for 73 students at DeVry University Advantage Academy (DUAA), this year's ceremony marked two academic achievements. In addition to their high school diplomas, 38 students earned associate degrees in information technology and networking and 35 earned associate degrees in business management - with the vast majority completing their degrees before turning 19.
"Graduating with both my high school diploma and associate degree was a really big personal accomplishment," said 2025 DUAA graduate Ben Bednar. "The work and greater expectations of our college classes pushed me to realize that I just enjoy learning and DeVry further refined my personal ambitions for the future."
A dual path, a singular goal
Founded in 2004, DUAA helps qualifying 11th and 12th grade students from 48 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) earn college degrees alongside their diplomas - all at no cost to families. Through a rigorous and accelerated model, students split their day between CPS coursework and DeVry University classes, with all tuition, books and technology covered.
The results speak for themselves: CPS's Class of 2025, including the 73 DUAA graduates, alone earned more than 66,000 early college credits - the highest total in CPS history - with an estimated $10 million in tuition savings for families.
Real-world readiness beyond the credit
While affordability is a major draw, DUAA's impact reaches far deeper. The program equips students with the time management, communication and critical thinking skills typically honed much later in college or early careers.
"DUAA students have two rigorous years of college work behind them," said Brian Niro, assistant dean of DUAA. "Depending on whether they continue in the same field of study, many enter college as juniors. But beyond cost savings, these students leave knowing what it feels like to meet high expectations - and exceed them."
Ben agreed, noting the network and confidence he built in the program's immersive, college-level environment.
"The professors taught me a lot more than just the subject matter. The supportive atmosphere helped me take initiative I might not have otherwise," Ben added. "The students and friends I made were all very future-focused and that set the standard for my own goals."
Recognized for rigor and results
In 2024, DUAA was ranked No. 13 on Chicago Magazine's list of the Best Public Schools, recognized for its curriculum strength, outcomes and college readiness. The program also earned the AP Access Award in 2023 for serving a representative percentage of AP exam takers from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds - a key marker of equity and access.
While the broader field of dual enrollment has grown, with 2.5 million U.S. high school students taking at least one college course in 2022-23, according to the Community College Research Center (CCRC), Black, Hispanic and low-income students remain underrepresented nationally. DUAA's model helps shift that trend, offering a structured, supported and no-cost path to early college success.
Building momentum with students' futures in mind
DUAA's success isn't limited to Illinois. A new Advantage Academy launched last year in partnership with DeKalb County School District in Georgia, expanding access to students from any high school in the county. This expansion is part of DeVry's commitment to providing access and opportunities to high school students nationwide.
Programs like DUAA show what's possible when institutions invest in students early and intentionally. For this year's graduates and the thousands who follow, the impact isn't just academic. It's personal, financial and deeply empowering. Their stories remind us that when students are given the opportunity to rise, they do - and they don't rise alone.
For students enrolled in a dual education program, the future is bright. To learn more about how DUAA is helping high school students step into their futures early, with confidence, momentum and savings behind them, visit DeVry.edu.
