<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-12-056203.txt : 20121102
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-12-056203.hdr.sgml : 20121102
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20121102090620
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-12-056203
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20121023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20121102
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20121102

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			McLean Colon S.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001561030

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23245
		FILM NUMBER:		121175231

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		231 N. MARTINGALE ROAD
		CITY:			SCHAUMBURG
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60173

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAREER EDUCATION CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001046568
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200]
		IRS NUMBER:				363932190
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		231 N. MARTINGALE ROAD
		CITY:			SCHAUMBURG
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60173
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477813600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		231 N. MARTINGALE ROAD
		CITY:			SCHAUMBURG
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60173
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd359176.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-10-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001561030</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McLean Colon S.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>231 N. MARTINGALE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SCHAUMBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60173</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Chief Human Res. Off.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>47008</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.38</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-08-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12670</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.15</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-02-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7594</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.02</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-03-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9652</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.80</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-03-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11536</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.63</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9356</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 21,829 unvested restricted shares and 15,440 unvested restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Career Education Corporation 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan, with each restricted stock unit representing a contingent right to receive one share of common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Immediately exercisable.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Immediately exercisable as to 5,695 of the underlying shares of common stock and exercisable as to1,899 of the remaining underlying shares on February 25, 2013.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Immediately exercisable as to 4,826 of the underlying shares of common stock and exercisable as to 4,826 of the remaining underlying shares in equal installments on each of March 3, 2013 and 2014.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Immediately exercisable as to 2,884 of the underlying shares of common stock and exercisable as to 8,652 of the remaining underlying shares in equal installments on each of March 14, 2013, 2014 and 2015.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Exercisable as to 2,339 of the underlying shares of common stock on each of March 1, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Gail B Rago, pursuant to POA For: Colon S. McLean</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-11-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24.
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>rrd322317_364402.htm
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
<DIV
style="width: 7.5in; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: 0.25in">

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left">Know all by these presents that the
undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Jeffrey D. Ayers, Greg E.
Jansen and Gail B. Rago, signing singly, the undersigned&#8217;s true and
lawful attorney-in-fact to:

<P>
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="100%">

 <TR
style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt"
valign="top">
  <TD style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"
width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">1.</TD>
  <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>prepare, execute in the undersigned&#8217;s name and on the
undersigned&#8217;s behalf, and submit to the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission a Form&nbsp;ID, including amendments thereto, and any other
documents necessary or appropriate to obtain codes, passwords, and passphrases
enabling the undersigned to make electronic filings with the SEC of reports
required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any rule or regulation of the SEC;</TD>
 </TR>

</TABLE>


<P>
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="100%">

 <TR
style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt"
valign="top">
  <TD style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"
width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">2.</TD>
  <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned&#8217;s
capacity as an officer and/or director of Career Education Corporation
(&#8220;CEC&#8221;), Forms 3, 4 and 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder;</TD>
 </TR>

</TABLE>


<P>
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="100%">

 <TR
style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt"
valign="top">
  <TD style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"
width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">3.</TD>
  <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned
which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such
Form&nbsp;3, 4 or 5, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto,
and file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
and any stock exchange or similar authority; and</TD>
 </TR>

</TABLE>


<P>
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="100%">

 <TR
style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt"
valign="top">
  <TD style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"
width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">4.</TD>
  <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the
foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to,
in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being
understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of
the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and
shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in
such attorney-in-fact&#8217;s discretion.</TD>
 </TR>

</TABLE>


<P style="text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt" align="left">The undersigned hereby
grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform
any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be
done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully
to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally
present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact&#8217;s
substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of
this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The
undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in
such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming any of the
undersigned&#8217;s responsibilities to comply with Section&nbsp;16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

<P style="text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt" align="left">This Power of Attorney
shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer
required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with respect to the undersigned&#8217;s
holdings of, and transactions in, CEC securities, unless earlier revoked by the
undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.

<P style="text-indent: 4%; font-size: 10pt" align="left">IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed on this 24th
day of October, 2012.

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><U>/s/ Colon S. McLean</U>
<BR>
Signature

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><U>Colon S. McLean</U> <BR>
Name

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="center">&nbsp;

<P style="display: none; font-size: 10pt" align="center">&nbsp;
</DIV>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
