DeVry was founded in Chicago and opened in 1931 as the DeForest Training School, named after Lee DeForest, a colleague and friend of founder Dr. Herman A. DeVry. In 1953, the name changed to DeVry Technical Institute in dedication to its founder. In 1966 the school was acquired by the Bell and Howell company, and became part of its Education Group division. In 1985 The Bell & Howell Education Group became known as DeVry Institutes, which was sold to Keller-Taylor Corporation, parent company of the Keller Graduate School of Management in 1987 to become DeVry, Inc.. DeVry acquired Ohio Institute of Technology in 1968, Becker Professional Review in 1996, Ross University in 2003, and the Deaconess College of Nursing in 2005. DeVry did not acquire rights to use the name "Deaconess College of Nursing", so it was renamed "Chamberlain" in 2006.

The Ohio Institute of Technology (OIT) was a trade school that operated in Columbus, Ohio, United States from 1952 until being renamed as part of the DeVry Institute of Technology in 1983 (and later DeVry University).

An unaffiliated school by the same name was founded in 2002, and functioned mainly as an auxiliary educational organization within the State of Ohio for accredited public Universities, Community Colleges and Joint Vocational Schools. OIT’s core curriculum focused primarily on industry recognized information technology certifications.

Ohio Technical College was founded in 1952 and later changed its name to Ohio Institute of Technology. In 1968, the school was acquired by the Bell & Howell Education Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bell & Howell Company. In September 1971 a new facility was opened at 1350 Alum Creek Drive in Columbus.. In 1983, the college was renamed as the DeVry Institute of Technology, Columbus (the DeVry name was already used for the other Bell & Howell schools). DeVry Institute of Technology later changed its name to DeVry University-Columbus to match its sister colleges.

After years of non-use, the trade name Ohio Institute of Technology, was reissued in 2002 to NTI, Inc.

DeVry University offers courses in business administration, computer information systems, engineering, network and communications management, and management as well as professional graduate certificates in business, office management and health information technology.

The university operates on a trimester course schedule and, if taken full-time year round, a student can graduate with a Bachelor's degree in about three years (depending on the program). Most degree programs are offered at both the Associate's and four-year Bachelor's level. In addition, the institution offers various certificate programs such as for specific subfields in Information technology.

The Keller Graduate School of Management offers the following Masters Degree Programs:

Courses and programs are also offered online.

DeVry is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.