<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!-- DFS ActiveDisclosure(SM) XBRL Linkbase Document - http://www.dfsco.com/financial-services/ -->
<!-- Creation Date      : 2018-05-01T15:21:03.6132440+00:00 -->
<!-- Version            : 2.9.6605.1333 -->
<!-- Package ID         : 79851842863140e88f30ce6d2921d0b0 -->
<!-- Copyright (c) 2018 Donnelley Financial, LLC. All Rights Reserved. -->
<linkbase xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" />
  <arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" />
  <arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" />
  <arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" />
  <arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#TemplateLink" roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/role/TemplateLink" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationTables">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_ScheduleOfShareBasedExpenseTableTextBlock" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_ScheduleOfShareBasedExpenseTableTextBlock" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsSettledInCashActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsSettledInCashActivityTableTextBlock" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_ScheduleOfUnvestedDeferredStockUnitsRollforwardTableTextBlock" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_ScheduleOfUnvestedDeferredStockUnitsRollforwardTableTextBlock" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsAwardActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsAwardActivityTableTextBlock" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityTableTextBlock" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityTableTextBlock" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" order="10100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2" order="10110.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityTableTextBlock" order="10180.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsAwardActivityTableTextBlock" order="10230.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_ScheduleOfUnvestedDeferredStockUnitsRollforwardTableTextBlock" order="10280.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsSettledInCashActivityTableTextBlock" order="10330.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_ScheduleOfShareBasedExpenseTableTextBlock" order="10380.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfInvestmentsDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfInvestmentsDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfInvestmentsDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_TreasuryAndFederalAgenciesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_TreasuryAndFederalAgenciesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NonUsGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NonUsGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RestrictedShortTermInvestmentsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RestrictedShortTermInvestmentsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AvailableForSaleCurrentMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AvailableForSaleCurrentMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_2" order="10080.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" order="10100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AvailableForSaleCurrentMember" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:to="ceco_RestrictedShortTermInvestmentsMember" order="10180.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_2" order="10200.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" order="10220.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ceco_NonUsGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" order="10240.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ceco_TreasuryAndFederalAgenciesMember" order="10260.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember" order="10480.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost" order="10570.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" order="10710.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax" order="10850.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities" order="10990.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCredit" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_PercentageOfCashCollateralForSecuritization" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_PercentageOfCashCollateralForSecuritization" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_ShortTermInvestmentContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionPeriod" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_ShortTermInvestmentContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionPeriod" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_BMOHarrisBankMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_BMOHarrisBankMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CreditAgreementMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CreditAgreementMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CCKFMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CCKFMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_CCKFMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_CreditAgreementMember" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" order="10240.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2" order="10250.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" order="10270.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" order="10290.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" order="10360.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_2" order="10370.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" order="10390.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:to="ceco_BMOHarrisBankMember" order="10410.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_ShortTermInvestmentContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionPeriod" order="10500.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" order="10550.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments" order="10590.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments" order="10630.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" order="10700.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_PercentageOfCashCollateralForSecuritization" order="10740.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCredit" order="10780.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_FinancialInstrumentsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1" order="10820.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsInvestmentsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsInvestmentsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsInvestmentsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_TreasuryAndFederalAgenciesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_TreasuryAndFederalAgenciesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NonUsGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NonUsGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" order="10100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2" order="10110.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" order="10200.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" order="10230.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember" order="10250.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ceco_NonUsGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember" order="10270.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ceco_TreasuryAndFederalAgenciesMember" order="10290.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities" order="10380.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionSummaryOfDisaggregationOfRevenueByMajorSourceDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureRevenueRecognitionSummaryOfDisaggregationOfRevenueByMajorSourceDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionSummaryOfDisaggregationOfRevenueByMajorSourceDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_Revenues" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_OtherRevenue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_OtherRevenue" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RevenueFromTuitionAndFees" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RevenueFromTuitionAndFees" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_OtherMiscellaneousFees" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_OtherMiscellaneousFees" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_TechnologyFees" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_TechnologyFees" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_TuitionFee" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_TuitionFee" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AIUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AIUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CTUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CTUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_UniversityGroupMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_UniversityGroupMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" order="10060.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_UniversityGroupMember" order="10140.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" order="10160.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_2" order="10200.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" order="10220.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:to="ceco_CTUMember" order="10240.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AIUMember" order="10260.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_TuitionFee" order="10290.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_TechnologyFees" order="10390.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_OtherMiscellaneousFees" order="10490.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_RevenueFromTuitionAndFees" order="10590.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_OtherRevenue" order="10690.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_Revenues" order="10790.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureRevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AverageDaysToPackageCertainStudents" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AverageDaysToPackageCertainStudents" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NumberOfPortfoliosForRevenueRecognition" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NumberOfPortfoliosForRevenueRecognition" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RevenueRecognizedForWithdrawnStudents" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RevenueRecognizedForWithdrawnStudents" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RefundLiabilityReserve" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RefundLiabilityReserve" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AverageLengthOfAcademicTerms" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AverageLengthOfAcademicTerms" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_LengthOfAcademicYear" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_LengthOfAcademicYear" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MinimumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RevenueRecognitionTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RevenueRecognitionTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_RevenueRecognitionTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MinimumMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumMember" order="10110.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_2" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_LengthOfAcademicYear" order="10400.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_AverageLengthOfAcademicTerms" order="10420.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_RefundLiabilityReserve" order="10490.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_RevenueRecognizedForWithdrawnStudents" order="10540.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_NumberOfPortfoliosForRevenueRecognition" order="10610.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ceco_RevenueRecognitionLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_AverageDaysToPackageCertainStudents" order="10660.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionScheduleOfPreviouslyReportedBalancesAdjustmentAndCurrentReportedBalancesDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureRevenueRecognitionScheduleOfPreviouslyReportedBalancesAdjustmentAndCurrentReportedBalancesDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionScheduleOfPreviouslyReportedBalancesAdjustmentAndCurrentReportedBalancesDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DifferenceBetweenRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeAndAfterTopic606Member" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DifferenceBetweenRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeAndAfterTopic606Member" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_DifferenceBetweenRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeAndAfterTopic606Member" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" order="10100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent" order="10200.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent" order="10260.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionChangesInDeferredRevenueBalancesDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureRevenueRecognitionChangesInDeferredRevenueBalancesDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRevenueRecognitionChangesInDeferredRevenueBalancesDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_DeferredRevenueOtherAdjustments" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_DeferredRevenueOtherAdjustments" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAdditions" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAdditions" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CurrentPeriodCharges" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CurrentPeriodCharges" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_GrossDeferredRevenue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_GrossDeferredRevenue" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AIUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AIUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CTUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CTUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_UniversityGroupMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_UniversityGroupMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_UniversityGroupMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" order="10140.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:to="ceco_CTUMember" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AIUMember" order="10210.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_GrossDeferredRevenue" order="10240.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1" order="10340.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_CurrentPeriodCharges" order="10440.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAdditions" order="10540.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_DeferredRevenueOtherAdjustments" order="10640.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStudentReceivablesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureStudentReceivablesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStudentReceivablesAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetNoncurrent" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetNoncurrent" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForWriteoffOfTradeAccountsReceivable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForWriteoffOfTradeAccountsReceivable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MinimumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MinimumMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumMember" order="10110.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForWriteoffOfTradeAccountsReceivable" order="10140.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetNoncurrent" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NumberOfOigFindings" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NumberOfOigFindings" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NumberOfIndividualsFileMotionToCompelArbitration" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NumberOfIndividualsFileMotionToCompelArbitration" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationReserveCurrent" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LitigationReserveCurrent" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtPercentageOfTotalCharge" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtPercentageOfTotalCharge" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencySettlementAgreementDate" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencySettlementAgreementDate" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NumberOfAllegedClaimsForEquitableRelief" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NumberOfAllegedClaimsForEquitableRelief" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_OfficeOfInspectorGeneralAuditMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_OfficeOfInspectorGeneralAuditMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AttorneysFeesAndCostsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AttorneysFeesAndCostsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MinimumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_SurrettMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_SurrettMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain" xlink:to="ceco_SurrettMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeAxis" order="10100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumMember" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MinimumMember" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis" order="10180.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_2" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain" order="10210.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LitigationCaseTypeDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AttorneysFeesAndCostsMember" order="10230.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" order="10340.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2" order="10350.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" order="10370.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" order="10390.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain" xlink:to="ceco_OfficeOfInspectorGeneralAuditMember" order="10450.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue" order="10560.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_NumberOfAllegedClaimsForEquitableRelief" order="10630.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencySettlementAgreementDate" order="10680.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtPercentageOfTotalCharge" order="10700.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs" order="10720.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss" order="10810.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod" order="10890.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty" order="10960.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LitigationReserveCurrent" order="11000.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber" order="11050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_NumberOfIndividualsFileMotionToCompelArbitration" order="11100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_NumberOfOigFindings" order="11150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_ExpenseForPerformanceUnitAwardsExpenseSettledInCash" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_ExpenseForPerformanceUnitAwardsExpenseSettledInCash" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_PerformanceBasedCompensationArrangementsByCashPaymentAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_PerformanceBasedCompensationArrangementsByCashPaymentAwardVestingPeriod1" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_ExpenseForRestrictedStockUnitsSettledInCash" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_ExpenseForRestrictedStockUnitsSettledInCash" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RestrictedStockUnitsToBeSettledInCashExercisableInPercentage" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RestrictedStockUnitsToBeSettledInCashExercisableInPercentage" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RestrictedStockUnitsToBeSettledInSharesExercisableInPercentage" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RestrictedStockUnitsToBeSettledInSharesExercisableInPercentage" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_EmployeeStockOptionsExercisableInPercentage" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_EmployeeStockOptionsExercisableInPercentage" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CommonStockSubjectToAnyFormOfAwardsOtherThanStockOptionsOrStockAppreciationRightsPayableInSharesFactor" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CommonStockSubjectToAnyFormOfAwardsOtherThanStockOptionsOrStockAppreciationRightsPayableInSharesFactor" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CommonStockSubjectToAwardsOfStockOptionsOrStockAppreciationRightsPayableInShares" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CommonStockSubjectToAwardsOfStockOptionsOrStockAppreciationRightsPayableInShares" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_DeferredStockUnitsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_DeferredStockUnitsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_VestingDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_VestingDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_VestingAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NonEmployeeDirectorsStockOptionsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NonEmployeeDirectorsStockOptionsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_TwoThousandAndEightIncentiveCompensationPlanMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_TwoThousandAndEightIncentiveCompensationPlanMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_TwoThousandAndSixteenIncentiveCompensationPlanMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_TwoThousandAndSixteenIncentiveCompensationPlanMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_TwoThousandAndSixteenIncentiveCompensationPlanMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_TwoThousandAndEightIncentiveCompensationPlanMember" order="10190.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" order="10220.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" order="10250.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" order="10270.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" order="10320.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" order="10350.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:to="ceco_NonEmployeeDirectorsStockOptionsMember" order="10370.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_VestingAxis" order="10400.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_VestingAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_VestingDomain_2" order="10410.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_VestingAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_VestingDomain" order="10430.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember" order="10450.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" order="10510.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" order="10590.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember" order="10730.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember" order="10770.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_DeferredStockUnitsMember" order="10890.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_CommonStockSubjectToAwardsOfStockOptionsOrStockAppreciationRightsPayableInShares" order="10980.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_CommonStockSubjectToAnyFormOfAwardsOtherThanStockOptionsOrStockAppreciationRightsPayableInSharesFactor" order="11020.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" order="11060.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" order="11100.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" order="11140.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" order="11290.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" order="11330.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" order="11400.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1" order="11420.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_EmployeeStockOptionsExercisableInPercentage" order="11480.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_RestrictedStockUnitsToBeSettledInSharesExercisableInPercentage" order="11530.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_RestrictedStockUnitsToBeSettledInCashExercisableInPercentage" order="11830.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_ExpenseForRestrictedStockUnitsSettledInCash" order="11900.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_PerformanceBasedCompensationArrangementsByCashPaymentAwardVestingPeriod1" order="11950.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_ExpenseForPerformanceUnitAwardsExpenseSettledInCash" order="11990.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationScheduleOfInformationWithRespectToAllOutstandingRestrictedStockDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureShareBasedCompensationScheduleOfInformationWithRespectToAllOutstandingRestrictedStockDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationScheduleOfInformationWithRespectToAllOutstandingRestrictedStockDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" order="10180.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" order="10240.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" order="10300.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" order="10360.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" order="10510.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" order="10570.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" order="10630.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" order="10690.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfTotalStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfTotalStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationSummaryOfTotalStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RestrictedStockUnitActivityMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RestrictedStockUnitActivityMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_RestrictedStockSettledInStockMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_RestrictedStockSettledInStockMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_RestrictedStockSettledInStockMember" order="10110.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="ceco_RestrictedStockUnitActivityMember" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" order="10160.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureWeightedAverageCommonSharesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureWeightedAverageCommonSharesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureWeightedAverageCommonSharesAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_2" order="10050.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureSegmentReportingAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingAdditionalInformationDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_PercentageOfEnrollment" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_PercentageOfEnrollment" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_PercentageOfStudentEnrollment" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_PercentageOfStudentEnrollment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MinimumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AIUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AIUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_FullyOnlineProgramMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_FullyOnlineProgramMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CTUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CTUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_CTUMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2" order="10130.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ceco_FullyOnlineProgramMember" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AIUMember" order="10230.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" order="10370.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeAxis" order="10400.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember" order="10430.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumMember" order="10450.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MinimumMember" order="10470.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments" order="10500.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_PercentageOfStudentEnrollment" order="10550.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_PercentageOfEnrollment" order="10570.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut" order="10710.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingSummaryFinancialInformationByReportingSegmentDetail" xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#Role_DisclosureSegmentReportingSummaryFinancialInformationByReportingSegmentDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.careered.com/20180331/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentReportingSummaryFinancialInformationByReportingSegmentDetail">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_Assets" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_PercentageOfRevenue" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_PercentageOfRevenue" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_Revenues" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_2" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_BusinessSegmentExcludingTransitionalAndCulinarySegmentMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_BusinessSegmentExcludingTransitionalAndCulinarySegmentMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_UniversityGroupMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_UniversityGroupMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_AIUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_AIUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="ceco-20180331.xsd#ceco_CTUMember" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="ceco_CTUMember" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" order="10010.00" priority="2" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" order="10040.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" order="10070.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:to="ceco_CTUMember" order="10090.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AIUMember" order="10110.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" order="10120.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" order="10150.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_UniversityGroupMember" order="10170.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember" order="10230.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_BusinessSegmentExcludingTransitionalAndCulinarySegmentMember" order="10250.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="ceco_AllOtherCampusesMember" order="10270.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis" order="10280.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_2" order="10290.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain" order="10310.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember" order="10330.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_Revenues" order="10600.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="ceco_PercentageOfRevenue" order="10800.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" order="11400.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_Assets" order="11830.00" priority="2" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
</linkbase>
