HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 12, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American InterContinental University (AIU) Online, a leading provider of career-focused online education, announced today that it ranked among the top five schools in several categories in the Diverse Issues in Higher Education annual list of top degree-granting schools for minorities during the 2008-2009 school year.
"An integral part of our mission is to serve students from diverse cultures and backgrounds with a quality education," said Steve Tober, CEO of American InterContinental University and president of AIU Online. "Being included on this list reflects our commitment to this mission and the effectiveness of our efforts."
The list included AIU Online among the top 100 associate, bachelor's and master's degree producers in 31 categories, including:
- The No. 2 ranked college for associate degrees in business management, marketing and related support services granted to all minorities;
- The No. 6 ranked college for associate degrees in all disciplines granted to all minorities;
- The No. 2 ranked college for associate degrees in all disciplines combined for African Americans;
- The No. 3 ranked college for bachelor's degrees in business for African Americans;
- The No. 2 ranked college for associate business management, marketing and related support services degrees for Hispanics;
- The No. 8 ranked college for master's degrees in business management, marketing and related support services degrees for African Americans;
- The No. 9 ranked college for master's degrees in computer and information sciences and support services to all minorities
The United States higher education system has seen a notable increase in minority students. In fact, during the 2007-2008 school year, minority students drove the biggest jump in college freshman enrollment in 40 years with a 15 percent increase in Hispanic students, eight percent increase in African American students and a six percent increase in Asian students1.
AIU Online has been featured among the Top 100 Degree Producers list for the past three years. The rankings were published in the May, June and July editions of Diverse Issues in Higher Education. For information on the degree programs available through AIU Online, please visit: www.aiuonline.edu.
About American InterContinental University
Founded in Europe in 1970, American InterContinental University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in programs such as business, IT, criminal justice and design at U.S. campuses in Atlanta, Houston, Weston, Fla.; an international campus in London; and an internet-based online campus headquartered in suburban Chicago. The award-winning AIU Online Virtual Campus was recognized as "Best of the Best" in the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program.
AIU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. For more info, visit www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org or call 312-263-0456.
AIU is a member of the Career Education Corporation (Nasdaq:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more info, visit www.aiuniv.edu or www.aiuonline.edu. AIU does not guarantee employment or salary.
1 According to the Pew Research Center study, "Minorities and the Recession-Era College Enrollment Boom." Published June 16, 2010.