UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2004

OR

Commission file number: 0-25232

APOLLO GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

4615 EAST ELWOOD STREET, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85040
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(480) 966-5394
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES x     NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act).

YES x     NO o

AT JANUARY 3, 2005, THE FOLLOWING SHARES OF STOCK WERE OUTSTANDING:

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
INDEX

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5

APOLLO GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 1. Nature of Operations

Apollo Group, Inc. (“Apollo” or the “Company”), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The University of Phoenix, Inc. (“University of Phoenix”), Institute for Professional Development (“IPD”), The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corporation (the “College”), and Western International University, Inc. (“WIU”), has been providing higher education to working adults for over 25 years.

University of Phoenix is a regionally accredited, private institution of higher education offering associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs in business, criminal justice, education, health care, human services, information technology, management, and nursing. University of Phoenix has 57 local campuses and 105 learning centers located in 33 states, Puerto Rico, and Vancouver, British Columbia. University of Phoenix also offers its educational programs worldwide through its computerized educational delivery system. University of Phoenix is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (“HLC”) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

IPD provides program development and management services under long-term contracts to 23 regionally accredited private colleges and universities at 23 campuses and 34 learning centers in 24 states.

The College, located near Denver, Colorado, provides financial planning education programs, as well as regionally accredited graduate degree programs in financial planning, financial analysis, and finance.

WIU, which is accredited by HLC, currently offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs at local campuses in Arizona and worldwide through its computerized educational delivery system.

This financial information reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Unless otherwise noted, references to 2005 and 2004 refer to the periods ended November 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Recombination of Tracking Stock

On March 24, 2000, our Board of Directors authorized the issuance of a new class of stock called University of Phoenix Online common stock, to reflect the separate performance of University of Phoenix Online, a campus within University of Phoenix. Our other businesses and our retained interest in University of Phoenix Online were subsequently referred to as “Apollo Education Group.” On October 3, 2000, an offering of 5,750,000 shares of University of Phoenix Online common stock was completed at a price of $14.00 per share.

Apollo Group, Inc.’s Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”) gave us the right, at any time, to convert shares of University of Phoenix Online common stock to shares of Apollo Education Group Class A common stock. On August 6, 2004, our Board of Directors authorized the conversion of each share of University of Phoenix Online common stock to shares of Apollo Education Group Class A common stock effective August 27, 2004. In accordance with the terms of the Articles, each outstanding share of University of Phoenix Online common stock was converted into 1.11527 shares of Apollo Education Group Class A common stock as of August 27, 2004. The conversion ratio was based upon the relative market values of Apollo Education Group Class A common stock and University of Phoenix Online common stock averaged over the 20 trading days (July 9, 2004 through August 5, 2004) ending 5 trading days prior to August 12, 2004, the announcement date, and included a 10% premium on the value of University of Phoenix Online common stock, all as required by the terms of the Articles. The conversion resulted in the issuance of approximately 16.6 million new shares of Apollo Education Group Class A common stock. In addition, each unexercised option to purchase University of Phoenix Online common stock at August 27, 2004, was converted to 1.0766 options to purchase Apollo Education Group Class A common stock. The conversion ratio was based upon the relative market values of Apollo Education Group Class A common stock and University of Phoenix Online common stock at the close of the market on August 12, 2004, prior to the announcement. As a result of the conversion of University of Phoenix Online common stock to Apollo Education Group Class A common stock, Apollo Group, Inc. will no longer report separate financial statements for University of Phoenix Online.

6

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2004, included in the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of operations for the three-month period ended November 30, 2004, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year or any future period.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Apollo and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted cash

The U.S. Department of Education requires that Title IV Program funds collected in advance of student billings be kept in a separate cash or cash equivalent account until the students are billed for that portion of their program. In addition, all Title IV Program funds received by the Company through electronic funds transfer are subject to certain holding period restrictions. These funds generally remain in these separate accounts for an average of 60 to 75 days from date of receipt. Restricted cash is excluded from cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows until the cash is transferred from these restricted accounts to the Company’s operating accounts. The Company’s restricted cash is invested primarily in municipal bonds, U.S. government sponsored enterprises, and auction market preferred stock with maturities of ninety days or less.

Investments

Investments in marketable securities such as municipal bonds and U.S. government sponsored enterprises are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. It is the Company’s intention to hold its marketable securities until maturity. Investments in other long-term investments are carried at cost and are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes the cost of software used for internal operations once technological feasibility of the software has been demonstrated. Such costs consist primarily of custom-developed and packaged software and the direct labor costs of internally developed software. Depreciation is provided on all furniture, equipment, and related software using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Revenues, receivables, and related liabilities

Approximately 93% and 95% of the Company’s tuition and other net revenues during the three months ended November 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, consist of tuition revenues. Tuition revenue is recognized on a weekly basis, pro rata over the period of instruction. Tuition and other net revenues also include rEsource^® fees, application fees, commissions from the sale of education-related products, other student fees, and other income. Tuition and other net revenues vary from period to period based on several factors that include: 1) the aggregate number of students attending classes; 2) the number of classes held during the period; and 3) the weighted average tuition price per credit hour (weighted by program and location). University of Phoenix tuition revenues represented approximately 94% and 95% of consolidated tuition revenues during the three months ended November 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. IPD tuition revenues consist of the contractual share of tuition revenues from students enrolled in related programs at its client institutions. IPD’s contracts with its respective client institutions generally have terms of five to ten years with provisions for renewal.

The Company’s educational programs range in length from one-day seminars to degree programs lasting up to four years. Students in the Company’s degree programs generally enroll in a program of study that encompasses a series of five to nine-week courses that are taken consecutively over the length of the program. Students are billed on a course-by-course basis when the student first attends a session, resulting in the recording of a receivable from the student and deferred tuition revenue in the amount of the billing. The related revenue for each course, including that portion of tuition revenues to which the Company is entitled under the terms of its

7

revenue-sharing contracts with IPD client institutions, is recognized on a pro rata basis over the period of instruction for each course. Fees for rEsource^®, the University of Phoenix’s online delivery method for course materials, are also recognized on a pro rata basis over the period of instruction. Application fee revenue and related costs are deferred and recognized on a pro rata basis over the period of the program. Seminars, continuing education programs, and many of the College’s non-degree programs are usually billed in one installment with the related revenue also recognized on a pro rata basis over the period of instruction.

Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and are based on the Company’s historical collection experience, current trends, and a percentage of the Company’s accounts receivable by aging category. In determining these percentages, the Company looks at historical write-offs of its receivables. A significant change in the aging of the Company’s accounts receivable balances would have an effect on the allowance for doubtful accounts balance. The Company’s accounts receivable are written-off once the account is deemed to be uncollectible. This typically occurs once it has exhausted all efforts to collect the account which includes collection attempts by company employees and outside collection agencies.

Tuition and other revenues are shown net of discounts relating to a variety of promotional programs. Such discounts totaled $18.3 million (3.3% of gross revenues) and $13.1 million (3.1% of gross revenues) in the three months ended November 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Many of the Company’s students participate in government sponsored financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. These financial aid programs generally consist of guaranteed student loans and direct grants to students. Guaranteed student loans are issued directly to the student by external financial institutions, to whom the student is obligated, and are non-recourse to the Company.

Student deposits consist of payments made in advance of billings. As the student is billed, the student deposit is applied against the resulting student receivable.

Cost in excess of fair value of assets purchased

The Company’s cost in excess of fair value of assets purchased (i.e. goodwill) relates primarily to the acquisitions of the College and WIU. Intangible assets, including cost in excess of fair value of assets purchased, are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the estimated fair value is less than the related carrying value. The carrying value of cost in excess of fair value of assets purchased is assessed for any permanent impairment by evaluating the operating performance and using valuation techniques such as future discounted cash flows of the underlying businesses. In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and other intangibles the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record non-cash impairment charges for these assets not previously recorded. The Company has selected August 31 as the date on which it will perform its annual goodwill impairment test. The Company performed its annual impairment test as of August 31, 2004, and concluded that no impairment charge was required.

Fair value of financial instruments

The carrying amount reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and student deposits and deferred revenue approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying value of the receivable from related party reasonably approximates its fair value as the stated interest rate approximates current market interest rates.

Earnings per share

Prior to August 27, 2004, including the three months ended November 30, 2003, the Company presented basic and diluted earnings per share for Apollo Education Group common stock and University of Phoenix Online common stock using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines the earnings per share for Apollo Education Group common stock and University of Phoenix Online common stock according to participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Basic earnings per share for Apollo Education Group common stock for these periods was calculated by dividing Apollo Education Group earnings (including its retained interest in University of Phoenix Online earnings) by the weighted average number of shares of Apollo Education Group Class A and Class B common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share was calculated similarly, except that it included the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of options issuable under Apollo Group, Inc. incentive plans, exclusive of options granted with respect to University of Phoenix Online common stock.

8

Basic earnings per share for University of Phoenix Online common stock for this period was calculated by dividing