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 Bright Horizons Family Solutions®, the world's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, back-up care, early education and work/life solutions.

With this agreement, Bright Horizons' 18,000 employees will receive significant cost savings through waived fees and a prior learning credit evaluation toward an Ashford University degree program.

"We are pleased to be one of the preferred providers of online education for all of Bright Horizons' employees around the world," said Dr. Jane McAuliffe, senior vice president and chief academic officer of Bridgepoint Education. "The programs offered at Ashford are ideal for working adults looking for a convenient and affordable way to further their education and advance their careers."

"The partnership with Ashford University provides Bright Horizons employees with a great opportunity to develop professionally and personally," said Linda Whitehead, Bright Horizons vice president of Education and Training. "We think this will be a great benefit to our employees, especially early educators who want to grow their careers with us."  

For more information on this agreement, please visit success.ashford.edu/brighthorizons or call 800.210.8409.

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, director 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, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

About Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons Family Solutions is the world's leading provider of employer-sponsored child care, early education and work/life solutions.  Conducting business in the United States, Europe and Canada, Bright Horizons has created employer-sponsored child care and early education programs for more than 700 clients, including more than 90 of the Fortune 500.  To find out more, visit www.brighthorizons.com or call 866.854.1958.