SAN DIEGO, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, announced today that Ashford University has joined the Avis Budget Group in an alliance agreement to assist Avis Budget employees with opportunities to advance their educations.

The Avis Budget Group, Inc. is comprised of two of the most recognizable rental car companies in the world, Avis and Budget, with about 6,500 rental locations available internationally. The new agreement will make Ashford University degrees more affordable for Avis Budget Group employees through a tuition grant and waived fees.

"Ashford University's alliance agreement with Avis Budget Group will help make an excellent educational experience available to all Avis employees, and underlines our commitment to bring advanced learning to working adults," stated Ashford University president Elizabeth Tice. "We're happy to support Avis Budget."

More information about Ashford's alliance agreement with Avis Budget Group can be found at success.ashford.edu/avisbudget, or by calling 888.859.2161.

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, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc.