Following new government rules that necessitated stricter admission policies, student enrollment had fallen for Apollo Group (NASDAQ:APOL) and other college chains over the last few quarters .

On Thursday the company posted a 12.7 percent rise in enrollment of new students for the first quarter that ended November 30, compared with a more than 40 percent drop last year. The company expects growth to continue through 2012.

Here’s how for-profit education stocks are reacting to the news:

Apollo Group Inc. (NASDAQ:APOL): APOL shares recently traded at $56.91, up $3.19, or 5.94%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $34.43 to $54.73. Volume today was 3,797,095 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 1,792,770 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 14.09, while trailing earnings are $4.04 per share.

DeVry, Inc. (NYSE:DV): DV shares recently traded at $41.72, up $2.67, or 6.84%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $36.34 to $64.65. Volume today was 786,497 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 630,292 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 9.30, while trailing earnings are $4.49 per share.

Corinthian Colleges Inc. (NASDAQ:COCO): COCO shares recently traded at $2.37,. They have traded in a 52-week range of $1.24 to $6.12. Volume today was 482,792 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 1,391,330 shares. The company’s trailing earnings are $-1.81 per share.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI): APEI shares recently traded at $42.83, up $0.17, or 0.4%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $27.20 to $49.29. Volume today was 87,981 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 244,786 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 20.95, while trailing earnings are $2.04 per share.

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ:LINC): LINC shares recently traded at $7.66, down $0.1, or 1.29%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $6.55 to $19.89. Volume today was 55,676 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 188,789 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 4.94, while trailing earnings are $1.55 per share.

DeVry, Inc. (NYSE:DV): DV shares recently traded at $41.72, up $2.67, or 6.84%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $32.73 to $66.85. Volume today was 786,497 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 877,405 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 9.30, while trailing earnings are $4.49 per share.

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