Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services focusing on higher access to higher education, announced today its largest on-campus class at Ashford University. According to the official census count from Clinton, Iowa, Ashford's on-campus enrollment for the Fall 2010 semester is 761 full-time students, making it the biggest class in the university's 91-year history.
The university reports 319 returning students and 442 new students. The new student population surge, compared to the previous record of 189, is attributed to the regionally accredited university's unprecedented Academic Scholarship program rewarding academic achievers with grade-point averages above 3.0.
"Nearly half of the incoming class is attending on full-tuition Academic Scholarships," Ashford University President Jane McAuliffe said. "Almost 70 percent of Ashford's on-campus fall enrollment is enrolled on an Academic Scholarship."
"At Ashford University, our mission is to provide affordable higher education. You can't get any more affordable than an Academic Scholarship worth 100 percent of our tuition charge for our President's scholars," she said. "If you haven't seen Ashford lately, you haven't seen Ashford. In addition to welcoming our biggest incoming class, we've opened new athletic facilities as well as completed a myriad of renovations and improvements."
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.