<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000929887</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>APOLLO GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>APOL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001366176</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Meyer William Stan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4615 EAST ELWOOD STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PHOENIX</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85040</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President of Marketing</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>274</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>60.1919</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-10-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5383</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>63.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-08-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-11-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>71.23</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-08-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-08-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">2,692 options were exercisable as of August 31, 2004.  The remaining options shall vest as follows:
1,346 on August 31, 2006
1,345 on August 31, 2007</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">25% of the shares covered by this option shall vest on the following dates:  August 31,2006, August 31,2007, August 31, 2008 and August 31,2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">3,000 options were exercisable as of August 31, 2005.  The remaining options shall vest as follows:
1,500 on August 31, 2007
1,500 on August 31, 2008
These 3,000 unvested options may vest at an accelerated rate if certain operational goals are achieved as of August 31, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Mr. Meyer's direct ownership were purchased either through an employee benefit plan that satisfies the coverage and participation requirements of Sections 423 (b) (3) and 423 (b) (5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any successor provisions thereof, or on the open market. 63 shares were purchased through the employee benefit plan.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William S Meyer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
