KIRK T. BACHMANN OF CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION INDUCTED INTO INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE FORUM, HALL OF FAME SOCIETY

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.(August 12, 2008) -- Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) announced today that Kirk T. Bachmann, Vice President of Academics and Executive Chef for its culinary schools, was inducted into the International Food and Beverage Forum (IFBF), Hall of Fame Society. In association with the World Gourmet Club, IFBF is one of the most respected and prestigious food & beverage–related global associations. This year, the IFBF will induct only five leaders into the Hall of Fame. Chef Heinz Lauer, Executive Chef of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas, a CEC school, was also among those selected.

Bachmann has more than 20 years of experience as a professional chef, educator and advocate of culinary education. A fourth-generation chef, he began his career in Germany in his father's pastry kitchen. After graduating from the University of Oregon, with an honors degree in International Studies, Bachmann went on to receive his formal culinary training at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, and later earned his Master's in Education from American InterContinental University, both CEC schools.

With active membership limited to 50, the IFBF is widely recognized as the premier think-tank for the food and beverage industry. In addition to Bachmann and Lauer, the organization will recognize Larry Maguire, President of Far Niente Wineries, Napa Valley; Mario Bonafaccia, Hotelier, Rome; and Walter Wagner, Executive General Manager, Melbourne, Australia; bringing the total number since 1999 to 41 inductees.

Bachmann joined CEC in 2000, as Director of Education for Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America. Today, he is responsible for maintaining the standards and quality of the curriculum for 14 CEC culinary schools, including the Le Cordon Bleu programs.

In addition, Bachmann was instrumental in the implementation of Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie & Baking Program as well as Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management Program. He is a Certified Executive Chef (CEC), a competition medalist, a member of the Governing Board of The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago; a member and Chairperson for the International Association of Culinary Professionals Chefs, Restaurateurs and Sommeliers Committee; and serves on the American Culinary Federation Certification Committee.

Bachmann and Lauer were inducted into the Hall of Fame at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas during a celebration of the culinary school's 5th anniversary in early July. Two scholarships, valued at $5000, were awarded in the name of each of the Hall of Fame honorees.

About Career Education Corporation
The colleges, schools, and universities that are part of the Career Education Corporation (CEC) 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 and diploma and certificate programs. Approximately one third of students attend the web-based virtual 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, see the company's website at http://www.careered.com. The company's website includes a detailed listing of individual campus locations and web links to its more than 75 colleges, schools, and universities.