Career Education Corporation Recognized as "Best of the Best” in the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program

Career Education Corporation (CEC), an international provider of post-secondary education programs, today announced it received the 21^st Century Achievement Award in the Education and Academia category in the International Data Group (IDG) Computerworld Honors Program. The award recognizes companies and individuals using technology to benefit society, and CEC was recognized for its creation of the Virtual Campus, an innovative, student-focused online learning community.

The Virtual Campus has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of students since it launched in 2001. Designed for CEC’s colleges and universities with online platforms – American InterContinental University, Colorado Technical University and the International Academy of Design and Technology – the Virtual Campus advances the way students learn and interact while obtaining a degree online.

Manoj Kulkarni, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for CEC, accepted the honor for the Virtual Campus during Computerworld’s 21^st Annual Laureates Medal Ceremony and Gala Awards Evening held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

"Being named the ‘best of the best’ in this prestigious competition marks a true milestone for CEC, and we are honored that IDG and Computerworld recognize the positive impact our Virtual Campus has on our academic communities,” said Kulkarni. "Our unique, interactive platform brings the classroom experience to our students at a time and place that is convenient for them. CEC is committed to the ongoing development of solutions that enhance the education experience and help our students reach their full potential.”

The Virtual Campus platform delivers an online learning community where students can access a full range of services. Much like a traditional campus, the Virtual Campus enables a rich, engaging social and educational atmosphere where students can enjoy the accessibility, flexibility and convenience of distance learning.

Each year, members of the Computerworld Honors Program Chairmen’s Committee identify the organizations whose use of information technology has been especially noteworthy for the originality of its conception, the breadth of its vision and its benefit to society. These identified organizations are asked to contribute a case study to the program’s collection, and the programs that best represent the values of the Chairmen’s Committee are recognized as Laureates.

CEC was among the 159 companies recognized as a Laureate, and from this group a panel of judges selected 50 Finalists – five each in 10 categories. CEC was not only named a Finalist; it was chosen as the "best of the best” in the Education and Academia category, and as a result, received the 21^st Century Achievement Award.

"For the 21^st consecutive year, the Computerworld Honors Program has identified the most innovative organizations and people who use technology to promote positive social, economic and educational change,” said Bob Carrigan, chairman of the Computerworld Honors Program Chairmen's Committee and president of IDG Communications. "We are proud to recognize companies like Career Education Corporation that are using its resources and technical prowess to make a positive impact on society.”

Additional information about Computerworld Honors Program can be found at the program’s Web site: www.cwhonors.org.

About Career Education Corporation

The colleges, schools and universities that are part of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) family offer high quality education to a diverse population of approximately 90,000 students across the world in a variety of career-oriented disciplines. The more than 75 campuses that serve these students are located throughout the U.S. and in France, Italy and the United Kingdom and offer doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees, as well as diploma and certificate programs. Approximately one third of CEC students attend the Web-based campuses of American InterContinental University Online and Colorado Technical University Online.

CEC is an industry leader, whose gold-standard brands are recognized globally. Those brands include Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America, Harrington College of Design, Brooks Institute, International Academy of Design & Technology, American InterContinental University, Colorado Technical University and Sanford-Brown Institutes and Colleges. Through its schools, CEC is committed to providing quality education, enabling students to graduate and pursue rewarding careers. For more information visit www.careered.com/.

About Computerworld

Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld’s award-winning Web site (www.computerworld.com), weekly publication, conference series and custom research forms the world’s largest (40+ edition) global IT media network. In the past six years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Folio Magazine’s 2006 Gold EDDIE Award for the Best Technology/Computing Magazine and the 2004 and 2006 Magazine of the Year Award and the American Society of Business Publication Editors’ (ASBPE) 2006 Best Overall Web Publication. In addition, Computerworld’s then editor-in-chief, Don Tennant, received the prestigious Timothy White Award from American Business Media in 2007. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of more than 2 million unique, monthly visitors and a print audience of 1,222,000 readers each week (IntelliQuest CIMS Spring 2007).

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world’s leading technology media, events and research company. IDG's online network includes more than 450 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries, including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World and PC World. IDG's lead-generation service, IDG Connect, matches technology companies with an audience of engaged, high-quality IT professionals, influencers and decision makers. IDG is a leading producer of more than 750 technology-related events including Macworld Conference & Expo, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Entertainment for All Expo (E for All), DEMO and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services and events. More than 900 IDC analysts in more than 90 countries provide global, regional and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends.

Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at idg.com. Note: All product and company names are trademarks of their respective companies.