Bridgepoint Education's Ashford University Enters into Alliance Agreement with the National Sheriffs' Association

Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of post-secondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, announced today that Ashford University has entered into an alliance agreement with the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), one of the country's most recognized law enforcement associations.

With this alliance agreement, Ashford University has become a preferred provider of online education for the 22,000 members of the NSA. Members will receive significant cost savings through waived fees, a tuition discount and a prior learning credit evaluation toward their Ashford University degree program.

"The convenience and flexibility of Ashford University's degree programs make them an ideal option for working adults who are looking to further their education," said Dr. Jane McAuliffe, president and chief executive officer of Ashford University. "We are happy to partner with the National Sheriffs' Association to offer educational opportunities to thousands of law enforcement professionals across the country."

"The National Sheriffs' Association is pleased to be part of this innovative partnership with Ashford University," said Fred G. Wilson, director of operations for NSA. "NSA has a long tradition of valuing education. This partnership will allow NSA members, including deputies, correctional officers and court security personnel to leverage their years of work experience along with formal education to earn a degree – this benefits both the members and NSA."

For more information on this agreement, please visit success.ashford.edu/sheriffs or call 800.850.4405.

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences.  Bridgepoint Education's regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.  For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org).  The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus.  The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs.  For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

About the National Sheriffs' Association

Now in its 70th year of serving the nation's law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals, the National Sheriffs' Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the criminal justice field. Through the years, NSA has provided programs for sheriffs, deputies, chiefs of police and others in the field of criminal justice to perform their jobs in the best possible manner and to better serve the people of their cities, counties or jurisdictions. To find out more, visit www.sheriffs.org or call 800.424.7827.