Document:

EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

2014 Performance Unit Agreement 

For use commencing March 2014 

CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION 

2008 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN 

PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT 

This PERFORMANCE UNIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated
                    (the “Grant Date”) is by and between Career Education Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
and                     (the “Grantee”). 

To evidence such award and to set forth its terms, the Company and the Grantee agree as follows: 

1. Definitions. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Career Education Corporation 2008
Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). When used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth in this Section 1. 

(a) “Award Percentage” means a percentage determined pursuant to the table set forth below based on the Company’s
Performance Percentile. 
  

					
	 Performance Percentile
	  	Award
Percentage	 
	 75 or higher
	  	 	200	% 
	 70
	  	 	180	% 
	 60
	  	 	140	% 
	 50
	  	 	100	% 
	 40
	  	 	80	% 
	 30
	  	 	60	% 
	 25
	  	 	50	% 
	 Lower than 25
	  	 	0	% 

 Note: To the extent the Performance Percentile is in between the percentiles listed in the table above, the
applicable Award Percentage will be interpolated. For example, if the Performance Percentile is 55, then the Award Percentage would be 120%. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing table, if the Company’s Total Shareholder Return is less than zero (0), then the Award Percentage will be
determined pursuant to the table set forth above, but in such case, the Award Percentage shall not exceed 100%. 
 (b) “Closing Stock
Price” means the average closing stock price for the 90-day period immediately preceding the end of the Performance Period. The Closing Stock Price shall be adjusted so that such price represents the amount it would have been had all
dividends paid during the Performance Period been reinvested in stock of the Company or the Peer Group member, as applicable, on the dividend date. 

(c) “Opening Stock Price” means the average closing stock price for the 90-day period immediately preceding the beginning of
the Performance Period. 
 (d) “Payment Date” means a date selected by the Company which shall occur any time between the
period beginning January 1, 2017 and ending on March 15, 2017. 

 (e) “Peer Group” means the entities listed on Exhibit A, but in each case
only to the extent the stock of such entity remains publicly traded on a national securities exchange as of the last day of the Performance Period. 

(f) “Performance Percentile” means the rank, expressed as a percentile, of the Company’s Total Shareholder Return for the
Performance Period when compared against the Total Shareholder Return of each of the members of the Peer Group. For purposes of this ranking, the Total Shareholder Return for each member of the Peer Group shall first be determined and ranked and
then the Total Shareholder Return of the Company shall be compared to the ranking of the Peer Group members. The Committee retains the discretion to adjust the Performance Percentile if it believes that the Performance Percentile is adversely
impacted due to fewer companies remaining part of the Peer Group (e.g., due to the stock not being publicly traded at the end of the Performance Period as a result of bankruptcy or acquisition by another company). 

(g) “Performance Period” means the period beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on December 31, 2016. 

(h) “Target Value” means [INSERT TARGET VALUE FOR GRANTEE]. 

(i) “Total Shareholder Return” means the result (positive or negative) of the following formula (expressed as a percentage):
(A – B)/B; where “A” equals the Closing Stock Price, and “B” equals the Opening Stock Price. 
 2. Grant of Performance Unit.
Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the Committee granted to the Grantee a performance unit (the “Performance Unit”) on the Grant Date, and the Grantee hereby accepts the grant of
the Performance Unit as set forth herein. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Performance Unit granted hereby shall have no value until the Payment Date. 

3. Limitations on Transferability. Except in the event of the death of the Grantee, at any time prior to the Payment Date, the Performance Unit, or any
interest therein, cannot be directly or indirectly transferred, sold, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed. 
 4. Payment for
Performance Unit. Following the end of the Performance Period, but not later than March 15, 2017, the Company will pay the Grantee an amount in respect of the Performance Unit (which amount may not be less than zero dollars ($0)) determined
pursuant to this Section 4. The amount due to the Grantee in respect of the Performance Unit shall equal the product of (a) the Target Value, multiplied by (b) the Award Percentage. The amount payable to the Grantee hereunder
shall be subject to tax withholding as required by Section 24. 
 5. Termination of Service. Subject to Section 6, the provisions of this
Section 5 shall apply in the event the Grantee incurs a Termination of Service at any time prior to the end of the Performance Period. 

(a) If the Grantee incurs a Termination of Service prior to the end of the Performance Period because of his or her death or Disability, the
Grantee (or his or her Beneficiary, if applicable) shall receive a payment in respect of the Performance Unit equal to the result of the following formula: A x (B/1095); where “A” equals the Target Value and “B” equals the number
of days elapsing between the beginning of the Performance Period and the 

  
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applicable Termination of Service. The amount payable pursuant to this Section 5(a) (i) will be paid as soon as reasonably possible following the date of such Termination of Service,
but in no case later than March 15 of the year following the year in which such Termination of Service occurs, and (ii) will be subject to tax withholding as required by Section 24. 

(b) If the Grantee incurs a Termination of Service prior to the end of the Performance Period for any reason other than his or her death or
Disability, then the Performance Unit shall be immediately forfeited to the Company and no amount will become due or owing to the Grantee under this Agreement. 

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the Grantee incurs a Termination of Service for any reason other than Cause after the end of the Performance Period
but prior to the Payment Date, he or she shall remain eligible for the payment described in Section 4 hereof, and (ii) in the event the Grantee incurs a Termination of Service for Cause at any time prior to the Payment Date, no amount
shall be payable to the Grantee hereunder and the Performance Unit shall be forfeited by the Grantee as of the date of such Termination of Service. 
 6.
Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, the Grantee will have such rights with respect to the Performance Unit as are provided for in the Plan. 

7. Adjustment. The Committee may make or provide for such adjustments as provided for in Section 4.2 of the Plan. 

8. Plan Amendment. No discontinuation, modification, or amendment of the Plan may, without the written consent of the Grantee, adversely affect the
rights of the Grantee under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided under the Plan. 
 9. No Stockholder Rights. The Performance Unit represents
only the right to receive cash pursuant to the terms hereof and shall not represent an equity security of the Company and shall not carry any voting or dividend rights. 

10. Employment Rights. This Agreement is not a contract of employment and the terms of employment of the Grantee or other relationship of the Grantee
with the Company shall not be affected in any way by this Agreement except as specifically provided herein. The Grantee’s execution or acceptance of this Agreement shall not be construed as conferring any legal rights upon the Grantee for a
continuation of an employment or other relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere with the right of the Company to discharge the Grantee and to treat him or her without regard to the effect which such treatment might have upon him or her
as a Grantee. 
 11. Disclosure Rights. Except as required by applicable law, the Company (or any of its affiliates) shall not have any duty or
obligation to disclose any information to the holder of the Performance Unit. 
 12. Governing Law. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of
this Agreement shall be governed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (other than its laws respecting choice of law). 

13. Compliance with Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to pay amounts
due hereunder unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that such payment is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority, and the requirements of any exchange upon which

  
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Shares are traded. The Company may require, as a condition of such payment, and in order to ensure compliance with such laws, regulations and requirements, that the Grantee make such covenants,
agreements, and representations as the Company, in its sole discretion, considers necessary or desirable. In addition, to the extent that all or any portion of any payment otherwise due hereunder would not be deductible by the Company for federal
tax purposes (irrespective of whether the Company would, in fact, have the ability to take advantage of such deduction), then the Company reserves the right to reduce or eliminate such payment to an amount that would be deductible by the Company for
federal tax purposes. 
 14. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the succeeding administrators, heirs and legal representatives of the Grantee and the successors and assigns of the Company. 

15. No Limitation on Rights of the Company. This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the Company to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or
otherwise make changes in its capital or business structure, or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets. 

16. Notices. Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, and, if to the Company, to its principal place
of business, attention: Secretary, and, if to the Grantee, to the address appearing on the records of the Company. Such communication or notice shall be delivered personally or sent by certified, registered, or express mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, or by a reputable overnight delivery service. Any such notice shall be deemed given when received by the intended recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice required or permitted hereunder from the Company to the Grantee
may be made by electronic means, including by electronic mail to the Company-maintained electronic mailbox of the Grantee, and the Grantee hereby consents to receive such notice by electronic delivery. To the extent permitted in an electronically
delivered notice described in the previous sentence, the Grantee shall be permitted to respond to such notice or communication by way of a responsive electronic communication, including by electronic mail. 

17. Construction. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement is made, and the Performance Unit is granted, pursuant to the
Plan and are in all respects limited by and subject to the express provisions of the Plan, as amended from time to time. To the extent any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent or in conflict with any term or provision of the Plan, the Plan
shall govern. The interpretation and construction by the Committee of the Plan, this Agreement and any such rules and regulations adopted by the Committee for purposes of administering the Plan shall be final and binding upon the Grantee and all
other persons. 
 18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitute the entire obligation of the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof and shall supersede any prior expressions of intent or understanding with respect to this transaction. 
 19. Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended as provided under the Plan, but except as provided in the Plan no such amendment shall adversely affect the Grantee’s rights under the Agreement without the Grantee’s written consent, unless otherwise
permitted by the Plan. 
 20. Waiver; Cumulative Rights. The failure or delay of either party to require performance by the other party of any
provision hereof shall not affect its right to require performance of such provision unless and until such performance has been waived in writing. Each and every right hereunder is cumulative and may be exercised in part or in whole from time to
time. 

  
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 21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two counterparts, each of which shall be an original,
but both of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. 
 22. Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. 
 23. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall for
any reason be held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not effect any other provision hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted. 

24. Tax Consequences. Payments made pursuant hereto shall be subject to all required tax withholding obligations. 

25. Receipt of Plan. The Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, and represents that the Grantee is familiar with the terms and provisions
thereof, and hereby accepts the Performance Unit subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement and of the Plan. The Committee shall interpret and construe the Plan and this Agreement, and its interpretation and determination shall be
conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto and any other person claiming an interest hereunder, with respect to any issue arising hereunder or thereunder. 

26. Restrictive Covenants. [The following shall be applicable to Grantees except those in the categories with special provisions set forth below]
In consideration of receiving the Performance Unit hereunder, and as a term and condition of the Grantee’s employment with the Company, the Grantee agrees to adhere to, and be bound by, the following restrictions. The Grantee hereby
acknowledges that the Grantee’s job responsibilities give the Grantee access to confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and that this and other confidential information to which the Grantee has
access would be of value, and provide an unfair advantage, to a competitor in competing against the Company or its subsidiaries in any of the markets in which the Company or its subsidiaries maintains schools, provides on-line education classes or
otherwise conducts business. The Grantee further acknowledges that the following restrictions will not cause the Grantee undue hardship. Consequently, the Grantee agrees that the restrictions below (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are
reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s and/or its subsidiaries’ legitimate business interests. 
 During the Grantee’s employment
with the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and continuing thereafter for the post-termination periods specified below, the Grantee will not, in any way, directly or indirectly, either for the Grantee or any other person or entity, whether paid
or unpaid: 
 (a) For
                    months following Grantee’s voluntary resignation from Grantee’s employment with the Company or Grantee’s
termination from employment by the Company for Cause, accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services to any person or entity that competes with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity that involves
any responsibilities or activities involving or relating to any Competing Educational Service, as defined herein. “Competing Educational Service” means any educational service that competes with the educational services provided by
the Company 

  
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and/or any of its subsidiaries, including but not limited to coursework in the areas of visual communication and design technologies; information technology; business studies; culinary arts; and
health education, or any education service. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the following organizations, among others, provide Competing Educational Services and, should the Grantee accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or
provide expert services to any of these organizations, it would inevitably require the use and/or disclosure of confidential information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries and would provide such organizations with an unfair business
advantage over the Company: American Public Education, Inc., Anthem Education, Apollo Education Group, Inc., Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Capella Education Company, Career Step, LLC, Corinthian Colleges, Inc., Delta Career Education
Corporation, DeVry Education Group Inc., Education Management Corporation, EmbanetCompass, Grand Canyon Education Inc., ITT Educational Services Inc., Kaplan, Inc., Laureate Education, Inc., Learning Tree International Inc., Lincoln Education
Services Corporation, National American University Holdings Inc., Ross Education, LLC, Strayer Education Inc., Universal Technical Institute Inc. and each of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates and successors. The Grantee further acknowledges
that the Company and/or its subsidiaries provide career-oriented education through physical campuses throughout the United States and web-based virtual campuses throughout the world and, therefore, it is impracticable to identify a limited, specific
geographical scope for this Restrictive Covenant. For avoidance of doubt, in the event the Grantee is involuntarily terminated from employment with the Company other than for Cause, the Grantee will not be subject to any post-termination noncompete
restriction under this Section 26(a). 
 (b) For
                    months following Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, solicit, attempt to solicit, assist
with the solicitation of, direct another to solicit, or otherwise entice any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave his/her employment. 

(c) At all times following the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, reveal, divulge, or make known to any
person, firm or corporation any confidential information, or take any other action, in violation of the Confidential Information Policy in the Company’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics 

Should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Company reserves the right to enforce the terms herein in court and seek any and all
remedies available to it in equity and law, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs should it succeed on its claim(s). Further, should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Grantee
will forfeit any right to the payments made or remaining due hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in recovering such payments made
pursuant hereto. 
 It is the intention of the Grantee and the Company that in the event any of the covenants contained in these Restrictive Covenants are
determined to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable with respect to scope, time or geographical coverage, the Grantee and the Company agree that such covenants may be modified and narrowed by a court, so as to provide the maximum legally enforceable
protection of the Company’s and any of its subsidiaries’ interests as described in this Agreement. 
 These Restrictive Covenants shall supersede
the terms of the restrictive covenants regarding competition and solicitation of Company employees that are contained in all prior agreements entered into by the Grantee and the Company to evidence an award under the Plan and to set forth the terms
of such award. All of the other terms of such prior agreements shall remain as is and shall not be affected by this Agreement. 

  
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 [The following shall be applicable to California and Attorney Grantees as well as Grantees who are deemed to
be in a less competitively significant role]] In consideration of receiving the Performance Unit hereunder, and as a term and condition of the Grantee’s employment with the Company, the Grantee agrees to adhere to, and be bound by, the
following restrictions. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Grantee’s job responsibilities give the Grantee access to confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and that this and other
confidential information to which the Grantee has access would be of value, and provide an unfair advantage, to a competitor in competing against the Company or its subsidiaries in any of the markets in which the Company or its subsidiaries
maintains schools, provides on-line education classes or otherwise conducts business. The Grantee further acknowledges that the following restrictions will not cause the Grantee undue hardship. Consequently, the Grantee agrees that the restrictions
below (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s and/or its subsidiaries’ legitimate business interests. 

During the Grantee’s employment with the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and continuing thereafter for the post-termination periods specified
below, the Grantee will not, in any way, directly or indirectly, either for the Grantee or any other person or entity, whether paid or unpaid: 

(a) For                     months
following Grantee’s voluntary resignation from Grantee’s employment with the Company or Grantee’s termination from employment by the Company for Cause, accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services
to any person or entity that would require the use, disclosure or dissemination of confidential information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Grantee is involuntarily terminated from
employment with the Company other than for Cause, the Grantee will not be subject to any post-termination restrictive covenant under this Section 26(a). 

(b) For                     months
following Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, solicit, attempt to solicit, assist with the solicitation of, direct another to solicit, or otherwise entice any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
to leave his/her employment. 
 (c) At all times following the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason,
reveal, divulge, or make known to any person, firm or corporation any confidential information, or take any other action, in violation of the Confidential Information Policy in the Company’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics 

Should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Company reserves the right to enforce the terms herein in court and seek any and all
remedies available to it in equity and law, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs should it succeed on its claim(s). Further, should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Grantee
will forfeit any right to the payments made or remaining due hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in recovering such payments made
pursuant hereto. 

  
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 It is the intention of the Grantee and the Company that in the event any of the covenants contained in these
Restrictive Covenants are determined to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable with respect to scope, time or geographical coverage, the Grantee and the Company agree that such covenants may be modified and narrowed by a court, so as to provide the
maximum legally enforceable protection of the Company’s and any of its subsidiaries’ interests as described in this Agreement. 
 These
Restrictive Covenants shall supersede the terms of the restrictive covenants regarding competition and solicitation of Company employees that are contained in all prior agreements entered into by the Grantee and the Company to evidence an award
under the Plan and to set forth the terms of such award. All of the other terms of such prior agreements shall remain as is and shall not be affected by this Agreement. 

[The following shall be applicable to non-California Campus President Grantees] In consideration of receiving the Performance Unit hereunder, and as a
term and condition of the Grantee’s employment with the Company, the Grantee agrees to adhere to, and be bound by, the following restrictions. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Grantee’s job responsibilities give the Grantee access
to confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and that this and other confidential information to which the Grantee has access would be of value, and provide an unfair advantage, to a competitor in
competing against the Company or its subsidiaries in any of the markets in which the Company or its subsidiaries maintains schools, provides on-line education classes or otherwise conducts business. The Grantee further acknowledges that the
following restrictions will not cause the Grantee undue hardship. Consequently, the Grantee agrees that the restrictions below (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s and/or its
subsidiaries’ legitimate business interests. 
 During the Grantee’s employment with the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and continuing
thereafter for the post-termination periods specified below, the Grantee will not, in any way, directly or indirectly, either for the Grantee or any other person or entity, whether paid or unpaid: 

(a) For                     months
following Grantee’s voluntary resignation from Grantee’s employment with the Company or Grantee’s termination from employment by the Company for Cause, accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services
to any person or entity that (i) competes with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity that involves any responsibilities or activities involving or relating to any Competing Educational Service, as defined herein, and
(ii) has or operates any facilities within a 50 mile radius of any location where the Grantee provided services to the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the one year immediately preceding the date of the Grantee’s separation from
the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Competing Educational Services provided by a person or entity do not involve the offering of any of the programs offered (or intended to be offered within one year) by the Company or any of its
services at the time of the Grantee’s separation from the Company, then the radius in clause (ii) in the preceding sentence shall be 25 miles. 

“Competing Educational Service” means any educational service that competes with the educational services provided by the Company and/or any of its
subsidiaries, including but not limited to coursework in the areas of visual communication and design technologies; information technology; business studies; culinary arts; and health education, or any education service. The Grantee hereby
acknowledges that the following organizations, among others, provide 

  
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Competing Educational Services and, should the Grantee accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services to any of these organizations, it would inevitably require
the use and/or disclosure of confidential information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries and would provide such organizations with an unfair business advantage over the Company: American Public Education, Inc., Anthem Education,
Apollo Education Group, Inc., Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Capella Education Company, Career Step, LLC, Corinthian Colleges, Inc., Delta Career Education Corporation, DeVry Education Group Inc., Education Management Corporation, EmbanetCompass,
Grand Canyon Education Inc., ITT Educational Services Inc., Kaplan, Inc., Laureate Education, Inc., Learning Tree International Inc., Lincoln Education Services Corporation, National American University Holdings Inc., Ross Education, LLC, Strayer
Education Inc., Universal Technical Institute Inc. and each of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates and successors. 
 For avoidance of doubt, in the
event the Grantee is involuntarily terminated from employment with the Company other than for Cause, the Grantee will not be subject to any post-termination noncompete restriction under this Section 26(a). 

(b) For                     months
following Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, solicit, attempt to solicit, assist with the solicitation of, direct another to solicit, or otherwise entice any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
to leave his/her employment. 
 (c) At all times following the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason,
reveal, divulge, or make known to any person, firm or corporation any confidential information, or take any other action, in violation of the Confidential Information Policy in the Company’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics 

Should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Company reserves the right to enforce the terms herein in court and seek any and all
remedies available to it in equity and law, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs should it succeed on its claim(s). Further, should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Grantee
will forfeit any right to the payments made or remaining due hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in recovering such payments made
pursuant hereto. 
 It is the intention of the Grantee and the Company that in the event any of the covenants contained in these Restrictive Covenants are
determined to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable with respect to scope, time or geographical coverage, the Grantee and the Company agree that such covenants may be modified and narrowed by a court, so as to provide the maximum legally enforceable
protection of the Company’s and any of its subsidiaries’ interests as described in this Agreement. 
 These Restrictive Covenants shall supersede
the terms of the restrictive covenants regarding competition and solicitation of Company employees that are contained in all prior agreements entered into by the Grantee and the Company to evidence an award under the Plan and to set forth the terms
of such award. All of the other terms of such prior agreements shall remain as is and shall not be affected by this Agreement. 

  
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 27. Cooperation. In the event of any pending or threatened investigation, proceeding, lawsuit, claim or
legal action against or involving the Company, the Grantee acknowledges and agrees to cooperate to the fullest extent possible in the investigation, preparation, prosecution, or defense of the Company’s case, including, but not limited to, the
execution of affidavits or documents, providing of information requested by the Company or the Company’s counsel, and meeting with Company representatives or the Company’s counsel. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as
suggesting or implying that the Grantee should testify in any way other than truthfully or provide anything other than accurate, truthful information.
 28.
Clawback Policy. By accepting the grant of the Performance Unit pursuant to this Agreement, the Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Board has adopted a policy pursuant to which the Grantee may be required to repay amounts otherwise paid
pursuant to this Agreement to the extent (a) such amounts were predicated upon achieving certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a material restatement of Company financial statements filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission; (b) the Board determines the Grantee engaged in intentional misconduct that caused or substantially caused the need for the material restatement; and (c) a lower payment would have been made to the Grantee based upon
the restated financial results (collectively, the “Policy”). By accepting the grant of the Performance Unit pursuant to this Agreement, the Grantee hereby agrees to be bound by the Policy and to repay amounts that Grantee may be
required to be repay thereunder. 
 29. Condition to Accept Agreement. This Agreement will be null and void unless the Grantee indicates his or her
acceptance of the award of the Performance Unit provided for hereunder by signing, dating and returning this Agreement to the Company on or before
                    . 
 [Signature
Page Follows] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the day and year first
written above. 
  

			
		 	CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION
	
	[Insert electronic copy of officer signature]
		
		 	  

	 	 	[Name]
		 	[Title]

 ACCEPTANCE (OR REJECTION) OF AWARD BY GRANTEE 

The undersigned, the Grantee, hereby: (select one of the options below) 
  

	 ̈	ACCEPTS the award of the Performance Unit as set forth in this Agreement and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan. 

 

	 ̈	REJECTS the award of the Performance Unit contemplated by this Agreement and forfeits all rights relating thereto. Please note that a rejection of this award has no impact on any other award of options, restricted
stock or restricted stock units you have previously received, including any restrictive covenants you are subject to pursuant to the agreement(s) governing your previous awards. 

 

							
	Date:
                                         
                               	 		 	  

		 		 	(Signature of Grantee)
		 		 	Print Name:	 	  

 Please sign and return your signed copy of this Performance Unit Agreement by
            , to             at CEC corporate via pdf ([insert email address]). Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the
award. Please retain a copy of this signed Performance Unit Agreement for your records. 

  
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 EXHIBIT A 

PEER GROUP 
 1. American Public Education,
Inc. 
 2. Apollo Group, Inc. 
 3. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

 4. Capella Education Company 
 5. Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

 6. DeVry, Inc. 
 7. ITT Educational Services Inc. 

8. Education Management Corporation 
 9. Grand Canyon Education
Inc. 
 10. Learning Tree International Inc. 
 11. Lincoln
Education Services Corporation 
 12. National American University Holdings Inc. 

13. Strayer Education Inc. 
 14. Universal Technical Institute
Inc. 

  
 12EX-10.2

 Exhibit 10.2 

Employee Stock Option Agreement 

For use commencing March 2014 

CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION 

2008 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN 

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT 

This STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated
                    (the “Grant Date”) is by and between Career Education Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), and                     (the “Grantee”). 

In accordance with Section 6 of the Career Education Corporation 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the
“Plan”), and subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee an option to purchase shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Shares”) on the
terms and conditions as set forth below (“Option”). The Option granted hereby is not intended to constitute an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”). All capitalized terms used but otherwise not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan. 
 To
evidence the Option and to set forth its terms, the Company and the Grantee agree as follows: 
 1. Grant. The Committee hereby grants
the Option to the Grantee on the Grant Date for the purchase from the Company of all or any part of an aggregate of             Shares (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2
of the Plan). 
 2. Option Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under the Option shall be
$            per Share (the “Option Price”) (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 of the Plan). The Option Price is equal to 100% of the Fair Market Value
of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date, as calculated under the Plan. 
 3. Term and Vesting of the Option. The Option Term
shall expire on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date. The Option shall vest and become exercisable
                                         
   ([each such anniversary, a] “Vesting Date”); provided, however, that the Option shall only vest and become exercisable with respect to a whole number of Shares on each Vesting Date and the Company shall accordingly
allocate such vesting across the Vesting Dates as evenly as possible. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option may be exercised on or following the applicable Vesting Dates with respect to the vested portion, as long as such exercise occurs
prior to the expiration of the Option as provided in this Agreement and the Plan. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 3, and except as otherwise determined by the Committee, as provided in the Plan or as provided herein, any portion of the Option which is not vested (or otherwise not exercisable) at the time of the Grantee’s Termination of Service
shall not become exercisable after such termination and shall be immediately cancelled and forfeited to the Company. 
 4.
Exercisability. In the event the Grantee incurs a Termination of Service for any reason, the Grantee will have such rights with respect to the Option as are provided for in the Plan. 

 5. Exercise of Option. On or after the date any portion of the Option becomes exercisable,
but prior to the expiration of the Option in accordance with Sections 3 and 4 above, the portion of the Option that has become exercisable may be exercised in whole or in part by the Grantee (or, pursuant to Section 6, by his or her permitted
successor) upon delivery of the following to the Company (or any Person designated by the Company): 
 (a) a written notice of exercise
(which may include a notice made through any electronic system designated by the Company) which identifies this Agreement and states the number of whole Shares then being purchased; and 

(b) any combination of cash (or by certified or personal check or wire transfer), and/or (i) with the approval of the Committee, Shares or
Shares of Restricted Stock then owned by the Grantee in an amount having a combined Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the aggregate Option Price of the Shares then being purchased, or (ii) unless otherwise prohibited by law for
either the Company or the Grantee, an irrevocable authorization of a third party to sell Shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option and promptly remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Option Price and
any tax withholdings resulting from such exercise. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee (or any permitted successor) shall take
whatever additional actions, including, without limitation, the furnishing of an opinion of counsel, and execute whatever additional documents the Company may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one
or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed by the Plan, this Agreement or applicable law. 
 No Shares shall be issued upon exercise
of the Option until full payment has been made. Upon satisfaction of the conditions and requirements of this Section 5 and the Plan, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall either (a) credit the number of Shares for which the Option was
exercised in a book entry on the records kept by the Company’s stockholder record keeper or (b) shall deliver to the Grantee (or his or her permitted successor) a certificate or certificates for the number of Shares in respect of which the
Option shall have been exercised. Upon exercise of the Option (or a portion thereof), the Company shall have a reasonable time to issue shares or credit a book entry for the Common Stock for which the Option has been exercised, and the Grantee shall
not be treated as a stockholder for any purpose whatsoever prior to such issuance or book entry. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Common Stock is recorded as issued
and transferred in the Company’s official stockholder records, except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement. 
 6.
Limitation Upon Transfer. The Option and all rights granted hereunder shall not (a) be transferred by the Grantee, other than by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or to a Permitted Transferee; (b) be otherwise assigned,
pledged or hypothecated in any way; and (c) be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempt to transfer the Option, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or to a Permitted Transferee, or to assign,
pledge or hypothecate or otherwise dispose of the Option or of any rights granted hereunder contrary to the provisions hereof, or upon the levy of any attachment or similar process upon the Option or such rights, shall be void and unenforceable
against the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Grantee may designate a Beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the Grantee’s death. The Option shall be exercised during the Grantee’s lifetime only by the
Grantee, the Grantee’s guardian, the Grantee’s legal representative or a Permitted Transferee. 

  
 -2- 

 7. Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, the Grantee will have such rights with
respect to the Option as are provided for in the Plan. 
 8. Effect of Amendment of Plan. No discontinuation, modification, or
amendment of the Plan may, without the written consent of the Grantee, adversely affect the rights of the Grantee under the Option, except as otherwise provided under the Plan. 

This Agreement may be amended as provided under the Plan, but no such amendment shall adversely affect the Grantee’s rights under the
Agreement without the Grantee’s written consent, unless otherwise permitted by the Plan. 
 9. No Limitation on Rights of the
Company. The grant of the Option shall not in any way affect the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, or changes in its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate, sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets. 
 10. Rights as a Stockholder. The Grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder
with respect to the Shares subject to the Option only upon becoming the holder of record of such Shares. 
 11. Compliance with Applicable
Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to either (a) cause to be issued or delivered any certificates for Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option, or (b) credit a book entry
related to the shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option to be entered on the records of the Company’s stockholder record keeper, unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance and delivery of such
certificates or entry on the records, as applicable, is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority, and the requirements of any exchange upon which Shares are traded. The Company may require, as a condition of the
issuance and delivery of such certificates or entry on the records, as applicable, and in order to ensure compliance with such laws, regulations and requirements, that the Grantee make such covenants, agreements, and representations as the Company,
in its sole discretion, considers necessary or desirable. 
 12. No Obligation to Exercise Option. The granting of the Option shall
impose no obligation upon the Grantee to exercise the Option. 
 13. Agreement Not a Contract of Employment or Other Relationship.
This Agreement is not a contract of employment, and the terms of employment of the Grantee or other relationship of the Grantee with the Company or its Subsidiaries shall not be affected in any way by this Agreement except as specifically provided
herein. The execution of this Agreement shall not be construed as conferring any legal rights upon the Grantee for a continuation of an employment or other relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor shall it interfere with the right of
the Company or its Subsidiaries to discharge the Grantee and to treat him or her without regard to the effect that such treatment might have upon him or her as a Grantee. 

14. Withholding. If the Company is obligated to withhold an amount on account of any tax imposed as a result of the exercise of the
Option, the Grantee shall be required to pay such amount to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of such amount, as provided in Section 17 of the Plan. The obligations of the Company under the Plan
shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Grantee. The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that he or she is
responsible for the tax consequences associated with the grant and exercise of the Option. 

  
 -3- 

 15. Notices. Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall
be in writing, and, if to the Company, to its principal place of business, attention: Secretary, and, if to the Grantee, to the address appearing on the records of the Company. Such communication or notice shall be delivered personally or sent by
certified, registered, or express mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by a reputable overnight delivery service. Any such notice shall be deemed given when received by the intended recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice
required or permitted hereunder from the Company to the Grantee may be made by electronic means, including by electronic mail to the Company-maintained electronic mailbox of the Grantee, and the Grantee hereby consents to receive such notice by
electronic delivery. To the extent permitted in an electronically delivered notice described in the previous sentence, the Grantee shall be permitted to respond to such notice or communication by way of a responsive electronic communication,
including by electronic mail. 
 16. Governing Law. Except to the extent preempted by federal law, this Agreement shall be construed
and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles thereof relating to the conflicts of laws. 

17. Receipt of Plan. The Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, and represents that the Grantee is familiar with the terms
and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all the terms and provisions of this Agreement and of the Plan. The Option is granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and
the Option shall in all respects be interpreted in accordance with the Plan. The Committee shall interpret and construe the Plan and this Agreement, and its interpretation and determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto and
any other person claiming an interest hereunder, with respect to any issue arising hereunder or thereunder. 
 18. Restrictive
Covenants. [The following shall be applicable to Non-California and Non-Attorney Grantees] In consideration of receiving the Option hereunder, and as a term and condition of the Grantee’s employment with the Company, the Grantee
agrees to adhere to, and be bound by, the following restrictions. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the Grantee’s job responsibilities give the Grantee access to confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company and/or its
subsidiaries, and that this and other confidential information to which the Grantee has access would be of value, and provide an unfair advantage, to a competitor in competing against the Company or its subsidiaries in any of the markets in which
the Company or its subsidiaries maintains schools, provides on-line education classes or otherwise conducts business. The Grantee further acknowledges that the following restrictions will not cause the Grantee undue hardship. Consequently, the
Grantee agrees that the restrictions below (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s and/or its subsidiaries’ legitimate business interests. 

During the Grantee’s employment with the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and continuing thereafter for the post-termination periods specified
below, the Grantee will not, in any way, directly or indirectly, either for the Grantee or any other person or entity, whether paid or unpaid: 

  
 -4- 

 (a) For             months
following Grantee’s voluntary resignation from Grantee’s employment with the Company or Grantee’s termination from employment by the Company for Cause, accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services
to any person or entity that competes with the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any capacity that involves any responsibilities or activities involving or relating to any Competing Educational Service, as defined herein. “Competing
Educational Service” means any educational service that competes with the educational services provided by the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, including but not limited to coursework in the areas of visual communication and design
technologies; information technology; business studies; culinary arts; and health education, or any education service. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the following organizations, among others, provide Competing Educational Services and, should
the Grantee accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services to any of these organizations, it would inevitably require the use and/or disclosure of confidential information belonging to the Company and/or its
subsidiaries and would provide such organizations with an unfair business advantage over the Company: American Public Education, Inc., Anthem Education, Apollo Education Group, Inc., Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Capella Education Company,
Career Step, LLC, Corinthian Colleges, Inc., Delta Career Education Corporation, DeVry Education Group Inc., Education Management Corporation, EmbanetCompass, Grand Canyon Education Inc., ITT Educational Services Inc., Kaplan, Inc., Laureate
Education, Inc., Learning Tree International Inc., Lincoln Education Services Corporation, National American University Holdings Inc., Ross Education, LLC, Strayer Education Inc., Universal Technical Institute Inc. and each of their respective
subsidiaries, affiliates and successors. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Company and/or its subsidiaries provide career-oriented education through physical campuses throughout the United States and web-based virtual campuses throughout the
world and, therefore, it is impracticable to identify a limited, specific geographical scope for this Restrictive Covenant. If the Grantee is involuntarily terminated from employment with the Company for other than Cause, the Grantee will not be
subject to any post-termination non-compete restriction under this Section 18(a). 
 (b) For
            months following Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, solicit, attempt to solicit, assist with the solicitation of, direct another to
solicit, or otherwise entice any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave his/her employment. 
 (c) At all times
following the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, reveal, divulge, or make known to any person, firm or corporation any confidential information, or take any other action, in violation of the Confidential
Information Policy in the Company’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics 
 Should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants,
the Company reserves the right to enforce the terms herein in court and seek any and all remedies available to it in equity and law, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs should it succeed on its claim(s).
Further, should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Grantee will forfeit any right to the Option or Shares issued hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Grantee agrees to pay the
Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in recovering the Option or Shares issued pursuant hereto. 
 It is the intention of the Grantee and
the Company that in the event any of the covenants contained in these Restrictive Covenants are determined to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable with respect to scope, time or geographical coverage, the Grantee and the Company agree that such
covenants may be modified and narrowed by a court, so as to provide the maximum legally enforceable protection of the Company’s and any of its subsidiaries’ interests as described in this Agreement. 

  
 -5- 

 These Restrictive Covenants shall supersede the terms of the restrictive covenants regarding competition and
solicitation of Company employees that are contained in all prior agreements entered into by the Grantee and the Company to evidence an award under the Plan and to set forth the terms of such award. All of the other terms of such prior agreements
shall remain as is and shall not be affected by this Agreement. 
 [The following shall be applicable to California and Attorney Grantees] In
consideration of receiving the Option hereunder, and as a term and condition of the Grantee’s employment with the Company, the Grantee agrees to adhere to, and be bound by, the following restrictions. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that the
Grantee’s job responsibilities give the Grantee access to confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and that this and other confidential information to which the Grantee has access would be of
value, and provide an unfair advantage, to a competitor in competing against the Company or its subsidiaries in any of the markets in which the Company or its subsidiaries maintains schools, provides on-line education classes or otherwise conducts
business. The Grantee further acknowledges that the following restrictions will not cause the Grantee undue hardship. Consequently, the Grantee agrees that the restrictions below (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and
necessary to protect the Company’s and/or its subsidiaries’ legitimate business interests. 
 During the Grantee’s employment with the
Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and continuing thereafter for the post-termination periods specified below, the Grantee will not, in any way, directly or indirectly, either for the Grantee or any other person or entity, whether paid or
unpaid: 
 (a) For             months following Grantee’s voluntary
resignation from Grantee’s employment with the Company or Grantee’s termination from employment by the Company for Cause, accept employment with, own, manage, operate, consult or provide expert services to any person or entity that would
require the use, disclosure or dissemination of confidential information belonging to the Company and/or its subsidiaries. If the Grantee is involuntarily terminated from employment with the Company for other than Cause, the Grantee will not be
subject to any post-termination restrictive covenant under this Section 18(a). 
 (b) For
            months following Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, solicit, attempt to solicit, assist with the solicitation of, direct another to
solicit, or otherwise entice any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave his/her employment. 
 (c) At all times
following the Grantee’s termination of employment with the Company for any reason, reveal, divulge, or make known to any person, firm or corporation any confidential information, or take any other action, in violation of the Confidential
Information Policy in the Company’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics 
 Should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants,
the Company reserves the right to enforce the terms herein in court and seek any and all remedies available to it in equity and law, and the Grantee agrees to pay the Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs should it succeed on its claim(s).
Further, should the Grantee breach the terms of these Restrictive Covenants, the Grantee will forfeit any right to the Option or Shares issued hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Grantee agrees to pay the
Company’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in recovering the Option or Shares issued pursuant hereto. 

  
 -6- 

 It is the intention of the Grantee and the Company that in the event any of the covenants contained in these
Restrictive Covenants are determined to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable with respect to scope, time or geographical coverage, the Grantee and the Company agree that such covenants may be modified and narrowed by a court, so as to provide the
maximum legally enforceable protection of the Company’s and any of its subsidiaries’ interests as described in this Agreement. 
 These
Restrictive Covenants shall supersede the terms of the restrictive covenants regarding competition and solicitation of Company employees that are contained in all prior agreements entered into by the Grantee and the Company to evidence an award
under the Plan and to set forth the terms of such award. All of the other terms of such prior agreements shall remain as is and shall not be affected by this Agreement. 

19. Cooperation. In the event of any pending or threatened investigation, proceeding, lawsuit, claim or legal action against or
involving the Company, the Grantee acknowledges and agrees to cooperate to the fullest extent possible in the investigation, preparation, prosecution, or defense of the Company’s case, including, but not limited to, the execution of affidavits
or documents, providing of information requested by the Company or the Company’s counsel, and meeting with Company representatives or the Company’s counsel. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as suggesting or implying that
the Grantee should testify in any way other than truthfully or provide anything other than accurate, truthful information. 
 20.
Condition to Return Signed Agreement. This Agreement shall be null and void unless the Grantee indicates his or her acceptance of the Option and this Agreement by signing, dating, and returning this Agreement to the Company on or before
            . 
 21. Other Terms and Conditions. The foregoing does not
modify or amend any terms of the Plan. To the extent any provisions of the Agreement are inconsistent or in conflict with any terms or provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall govern. 

[Signature Page Follows] 

  
 -7- 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the day and year first
written above. 
  

			
		 	CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION
	
	[Insert electronic copy of officer signature]
		
		 	  

	 	 	[Name]
		 	[Title]

 ACCEPTANCE (OR REJECTION) OF AWARD BY GRANTEE 

The undersigned, the Grantee, hereby: (select one of the options below) 
  

	 ̈	ACCEPTS the award of the Option as set forth in this Agreement and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan. 

 

	 ̈	REJECTS the award of the Option contemplated by this Agreement and forfeits all rights relating thereto. Please note that a rejection of this award has no impact on any other award of options, restricted stock or
restricted stock units you have previously received, including any restrictive covenants you are subject to pursuant to the agreement(s) governing your previous awards. 

 

							
	Date:
                                         
                               	 		 	  

		 		 	(Signature of Grantee)
		 		 	Print Name:	 	  

 Please sign and return your signed copy of this Stock Option Agreement by
[                    ], to [                    ]
at CEC corporate via pdf ([insert email address]). Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the award. Please retain a copy of this signed Stock Option Agreement for your records. 

  
 -8-

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