<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001104659-07-080254
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20071101
<FILING-DATE>20071106
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20071106
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CAREER EDUCATION CORP
<CIK>0001046568
<ASSIGNED-SIC>8200
<IRS-NUMBER>363932190
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2895 GREENSPOINT
<STREET2>SUITE 600
<CITY>HOFFMAN ESTATES
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>60195
<PHONE>8477813600
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2800 WEST HIGGINS ROAD
<STREET2>SUITE 790
<CITY>HOFFMAN ESTATES
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>60195
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>Friesen Jason T
<CIK>0001417424
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-23245
<FILM-NUMBER>071218485
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<PHONE>(847) 781-3600
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION
<STREET2>2895 GREENSPOINT PARKWAY, SUITE 600
<CITY>HOFFMAN ESTATES
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>60169
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
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<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
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<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-11-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001046568</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CAREER EDUCATION CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CECO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001417424</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Friesen Jason T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2895 GREENSPOINT PARKWAY, SUITE 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOFFMAN ESTATES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60169</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP of Finance and Treas.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jason T. Friesen</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
