Kirby, McInerney & Squire LLP Announces Class Action Lawsuit on Behalf of Career Education Corporation Investors -- CECO


NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The law firm of Kirby McInerney & Squire, LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been commenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of all purchasers of Career Education Corporation ("Career Education" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:CECO) securities during the period from January 28, 2003 through December 2, 2003, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Please visit our website, which offers summary and detailed information concerning the suit at http://www.kmslaw.com/new_cases/Career_Education/Career_Education.htm or contact us by phone at (888) 529-4787 or by email at vlee@kmslaw.com for more information.

The action charges Career Education and certain of its senior officers with violations of Sections 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The alleged violations stem from the dissemination of false and misleading statements, which had the effect - during the Class Period -- of artificially inflating the price of Career Education's shares.

Investors allege that during the Class Period the Company's record financial growth was a product of inflated student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates procured through the falsification of such records.

Kirby McInerney & Squire, LLP, which represents Career Education investors, has specialized in complex litigation, including securities class actions, for several decades. The firm has repeatedly demonstrated its expertise in this field, and has been recognized by various courts which have appointed the firm to major positions in consolidated and multi-district litigation. The firm's efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, and its achievements and quality of service have been chronicled in numerous published decisions. More information about the firm, class actions in general, or about the role of the lead plaintiff in a securities class action can be obtained through Kirby McInerney & Squire's website at http://www.kmslaw.com.

If you are a member of the class described above, you may, no later than February 9, 2004 move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff of the class, if you so choose, pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"), 15 U.S.C. section 78u-4(a). A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to seek appointment as a lead plaintiff. For more information about the case, its claims, and your rights, you can contact:



 Pamela E. Kulsrud, Esq.
 Vivian Lee

 KIRBY McINERNEY & SQUIRE, LLP
 830 Third Avenue, 10th Floor
 New York, New York  10022
 Telephone:  (212) 317-2300
 or Toll Free (888) 529-4787
 E-Mail: vlee@kmslaw.com