EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
SECTION 1350 PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Apollo Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the three months ended May 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Todd S. Nelson, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1)	the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: July 13, 2004

/s/ Todd S. Nelson  

Todd S. Nelson 

Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer 

     A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Apollo Group, Inc. and will be retained by Apollo Group, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.