UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  May 2, 2005       
                                                 ---------------

                          Career Education Corporation
              ----------------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


         Delaware                     0-23245                    36-3932190
        ----------                   ---------                  ------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction        (Commission                (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)             File Number)             Identification No.)


     2895 Greenspoint Parkway, Suite 600, Hoffman Estates, IL       60195
     --------------------------------------------------------      -------
             (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (847) 781-3600
                                                           ---------------     
          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
    CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
    CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 2, 2005, Career Education Corporation (the "Registrant") issued a press
release setting forth the Registrant's financial results for the first quarter
ended March 31, 2005. A copy of the Registrant's press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and the information contained therein is incorporated
herein by reference. The information contained in this Form 8-K, including the
exhibit, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and it shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such
filing.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)  None.

(b)  None.

(c)  Exhibits

        Exhibit
        Number      Description of Exhibits
        ------      -----------------------

         99.1       Press Release of Registrant dated May 2, 2005 reporting the
                    Registrant's financial results for the first quarter ended
                    March 31, 2005.




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                  CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION


                                  By: /s/ Patrick K. Pesch
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Patrick K. Pesch
                                      Executive Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                      Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary


Dated: May 2, 2005




                                  Exhibit Index
                                  ------------- 

        Exhibit
        Number      Description of Exhibits
        ------      -----------------------
 
         99.1       Press Release of Registrant dated May 2, 2005 reporting the
                    Registrant's financial results for the first quarter ended
                    March 31, 2005.