EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Andrew S. Clark, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Bridgepoint Education, Inc.; and

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

Date: December 16, 2011

/s/ ANDREW S. CLARK

Andrew S. Clark

President and Chief Executive Officer