Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2017 Results

PHOENIX, Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE), a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers over 225 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across nine colleges both online and on ground at its over 275 acre campus in Phoenix, Arizona, today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results

For the three months ended December 31, 2017:

    --  Net revenue increased 10.9% to $271.4 million for the fourth quarter of
        2017, compared to $244.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016.
    --  End-of-period enrollment increased 10.2% to 90,297 at December 31, 2017,
        from 81,908 at December 31, 2016, as ground enrollment increased 9.2% to
        18,842 at December 31, 2017, from 17,262 at December 31, 2016 and online
        enrollment increased 10.5% to 71,455 at December 31, 2017, from 64,646
        at December 31, 2016.
    --  Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $91.3
        million, an increase of 19.1% as compared to $76.7 million for the same
        period in 2016. The operating margin for the three months ended December
        31, 2017 was 33.7%, compared to 31.3% for the same period in 2016.
    --  The tax rate in the three months ended December 31, 2017 was 25.5%
        compared to 37.2% in the same period in 2016.    This decrease was
        primarily due to the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and
        liabilities as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") which
        was signed into law on December 22, 2017.  The Act reduces the corporate
        federal tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate effective
        January 1, 2018.  Therefore, the University's net deferred tax liability
        was required to be revalued as of December 22, 2017, resulting in the
        University recording a $10.7 million income tax benefit.  Excluding the
        revaluation of the deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded in 2017,
        our effective income tax rate would have been 37.2% for the quarter. 
        Additionally, the University continues to benefit from the adoption of
        the share-based compensation standard, which resulted in the recognition
        of excess tax benefits from share-based compensation awards that vested
        or settled in 2017 in the consolidated income statement.  The inclusion
        of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as a component of our income tax
        expense will increase volatility within our provision for income taxes
        as the amount of excess tax benefits or deficiencies from share-based
        compensation awards are dependent on our stock price at the date the
        restricted awards vest, our stock price on the date an option is
        exercised, and the quantity of options exercised.
    --  Net income increased 42.3% to $68.3 million for the fourth quarter of
        2017, compared to $48.0 million for the same period in 2016.
    --  Diluted net income per share was $1.41 for the fourth quarter of 2017,
        compared to $1.01 for the same period in 2016.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.5% to $108.5 million for the fourth quarter
        of 2017, compared to $93.1 million for the same period in 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2017:

    --  Net revenue increased 11.5% to $974.1 million for the year ended
        December 31, 2017, compared to $873.3 million for the same period in
        2016.
    --  Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $282.8
        million, an increase of 19.2% as compared to $237.2 million for the same
        period in 2016. The operating margin for the year ended December 31,
        2017 was 29.0%, compared to 27.2% for the same period in 2016. 
        Operating income and operating margin for the year ended December 31,
        2017, excluding contributions in lieu of state income taxes of $2.0
        million, was $284.8 million and 29.2%, respectively.  Operating income
        and operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2016, excluding
        contributions in lieu of state income taxes of $4.0 million and lease
        termination costs of $3.5 million, was $244.7 million and 28.0%,
        respectively.
    --  The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 28.3% compared to
        37.1% in the same period in 2016.  The lower effective tax rate is
        primarily due to the revaluation of our deferred tax assets and
        liabilities in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of the new tax law
        and our adoption of the share-based compensation standard in the first
        quarter of 2017.  As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act")
        which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, the corporate federal
        tax rate was reduced from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate effective
        January 1, 2018.  The University's net deferred tax liability was
        revalued as of December 22, 2017, and the University recorded a $10.7
        million income tax benefit related to the revaluation of its deferred
        tax assets and liabilities.  Excluding the revaluation of the deferred
        tax assets and liabilities recorded in 2017, our effective income tax
        rate would have been 32.1% for the year.  Additionally, the University
        benefited in 2017 from the adoption of the share-based compensation
        standard, which resulted in the recognition of excess tax benefits of
        $16.5 million from share-based compensation awards that vested or
        settled in 2017 in the consolidated income statement.  The inclusion of
        excess tax benefits and deficiencies as a component of our income tax
        expense will increase volatility within our provision for income taxes
        as the amount of excess tax benefits or deficiencies from share-based
        compensation awards are dependent on our stock price at the date the
        restricted awards vest, our stock price on the date an option is
        exercised, and the quantity of options exercised.  These decreases were
        slightly offset by a decrease in the contributions made in lieu of state
        income taxes to school sponsoring organizations.  Our contributions
        decreased from $4.0 million in 2016 to $2.0 million in 2017.
    --  Net income increased 36.9% to $203.3 million for the year ended December
        31, 2017, compared to $148.5 million for the same period in 2016.
    --  Diluted net income per share was $4.22 for the year ended December 31,
        2017, compared to $3.15 for the same period in 2016.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.6% to $354.6 million for the year ended
        December 31, 2017, compared to $304.1 million for the same period in
        2016.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The University financed its operating activities and capital expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily through cash provided by operating activities. Our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investments were $242.7 million and $108.6 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Our restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $94.5 million and $84.9 million, respectively. In December 2012, we entered into a new credit agreement, which increased our term loan to $100 million with a maturity date of December 2019. Additionally, this facility, as amended in January 2016, provided a revolving line of credit in the amount of $150 million through December 2017 to be utilized for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. Indebtedness under the credit facility is secured by our assets and is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. We did not renew our revolving line of credit at December 31, 2017 as we do not believe we need this additional liquidity at this time.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $304.9 million and $237.8 million, respectively. Cash provided by operations in 2017 and 2016 resulted from our increased net income plus non-cash charges for provision for bad debts, depreciation and amortization, timing of income tax and employee related payments and student deposits and changes in other working capital.

Net cash used in investing activities was $152.1 million and $216.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our cash used in investing activities is primarily related to the purchase of short-term investments and capital expenditures, partially offset by proceeds from the sale or maturity of short-term investments. Purchases of short-term investments, net of proceeds of these investments, was $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Proceeds from investment, net of purchases of short-term investments, was $20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Capital expenditures were $113.6 million and $178.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In 2017, capital expenditures primarily consisted of the construction of an additional dormitory, other ground campus building projects and land acquisitions adjacent to our campus to support our growing traditional student enrollment, as well as purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. Included in off-site development for 2017 is $10.4 million we spent to finish the off-site student services center and parking garage that is in close proximity to our ground traditional campus. Employees that worked in two leased office buildings in the Phoenix area were relocated to this new building by the end of 2016. In 2016, capital expenditures primarily consisted of ground campus building projects that started in late 2015 such as three more apartment style residence halls, a 170,000 square foot classroom building for our College of Science, Engineering and Technology, a student service center, and a fourth parking structure, as well as land purchases adjacent to or near our Phoenix campus, and purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. Included in off-site development during 2016 is $60.7 million primarily related to the off-site student services center and parking garage.

Net cash used in financing activities was $35.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net cash provided by financing activities was $10.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. During 2017, $25.0 million was used to repay our revolving line of credit, $1.5 million was used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the University's share repurchase program and $9.8 million was used to purchase common shares withheld in lieu of income taxes resulting from restricted share awards while principal payments on notes payable and capital leases totaled $6.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $7.4 million. During 2016, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of net proceeds received from the revolving line of credit of $25.0 million and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $13.2 million, partially offset by $15.4 million used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the University's share repurchase program and $4.7 million used to purchase common shares withheld in lieu of income taxes resulting from restricted share awards and principal payments on notes payable, repayments on our notes payable and capital lease payments totaled $7.2 million.

2018 Outlook


    Q1 2018:                                     Net revenue of $274.0
                                                 million; Target Operating
                                                 Margin 31.5%; Diluted EPS
                                                 of $1.39 using 48.6
                                                 million diluted shares;
                                                 student counts of 91,500

    Q2 2018:                                     Net revenue of $235.0
                                                 million; Target Operating
                                                 Margin 23.2%; Diluted EPS
                                                 of $0.85 using 48.6
                                                 million diluted shares;
                                                 student counts of 80,900

    Q3 2018:                                     Net revenue of $254.0
                                                 million; Target Operating
                                                 Margin 24.9%; Diluted EPS
                                                 of $0.98 using 48.7
                                                 million diluted shares;
                                                 student counts of 98,400

    Q4 2018:                                     Net revenue of $291.0
                                                 million; Target Operating
                                                 Margin 33.0%; Diluted EPS
                                                 of $1.47 using 48.9
                                                 million diluted shares;
                                                 student counts of 97,100

    Full Year 2018:                              Net revenue of $1,054.0
                                                 million; Target Operating
                                                 Margin 28.5%; Diluted EPS
                                                 of $4.69 using 48.7
                                                 million diluted shares

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies expectations, competitive environment, regulation, and availability of resources. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, and forecasts as to our business, financial and operating results, and future economic performance, as well as; and statements of management's goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: our announced intention to sell our academic and related operations and assets to a non-profit entity and become a services company; our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to our industry, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder, state laws and regulatory requirements, and accrediting commission requirements; the ability of our students to obtain federal Title IV funds, state financial aid, and private financing; potential damage to our reputation or other adverse effects as a result of negative publicity in the media, in the industry or in connection with governmental reports or investigations or otherwise, affecting us or other companies in the for-profit post-secondary education sector; risks associated with changes in applicable federal and state laws and regulations and accrediting commission standards, including pending rulemaking by the Department of Education; competition from other universities in our geographic region and market sector, including competition for students, qualified executives and other personnel; our ability to properly manage risks and challenges associated with strategic initiatives, including the expansion of our campus, potential acquisitions or divestitures of, or investments in, new businesses, acquisitions of new properties, or the development of new campuses; our expected tax payments and tax rate, including the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; our ability to hire and train new, and develop and train existing, faculty and employees; the pace of growth of our enrollment; our ability to convert prospective students to enrolled students and to retain active students to graduation; our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis; industry competition, including competition for qualified executives and other personnel; risks associated with the competitive environment for marketing our programs; failure on our part to keep up with advances in technology that could enhance the online experience for our students; the extent to which obligations under our loan agreement, including the need to comply with restrictive and financial covenants and to pay principal and interest payments, limits our ability to conduct our operations or seek new business opportunities; our ability to manage future growth effectively; general adverse economic conditions or other developments that affect job prospects of our students; and other factors discussed in reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Conference Call

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2017 results and 2018 outlook during a conference call scheduled for today, February 21, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (ET). To participate in the live call, investors should dial 877-577-1769 (domestic and Canada) or 706-679-7806 (international), passcode 1769938 at 4:25 p.m. (ET). The Webcast will be available on the Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Web site at www.gcu.edu.

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call, at 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international), passcode 1769938. It will also be archived at www.gcu.edu in the investor relations section for 60 days.

About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers over 225 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across nine colleges both online and on ground at our over 275 acre campus in Phoenix, Arizona, at leased facilities and at facilities owned by third party employers of our students. We are committed to providing an academically rigorous educational experience with a focus on professionally relevant programs that meet the objectives of our students. Our undergraduate programs are designed to be innovative and meet the future needs of employers while providing students with the needed critical thinking and effective communication skills developed through a Christian-oriented, liberal arts foundation. We offer master and doctoral degrees in contemporary fields that are designed to provide students with the capacity for transformational leadership in their chosen industry, emphasizing the immediate relevance of theory, application, and evaluation to promote personal and organizational change. Approximately 90,300 students were enrolled as of December 31, 2017. For more information about Grand Canyon Education, Inc., please visit http://www.gcu.edu.

_________
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, www.gcu.edu.


                              GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

                             Consolidated Income Statements

                                       (Unaudited)


                                                     Three Months Ended         Year Ended
                                                        December 31,           December 31,
                                                        ------------           ------------

                                                        2017          2016      2017          2016
                                                        ----          ----      ----          ----

     (In thousands, except per share data)
     ------------------------------------

    Net revenue                                     $271,418      $244,663  $974,134      $873,344

    Costs and expenses:

    Instructional
     costs and
     services                                        108,933       102,100   410,840       373,101

    Admissions
     advisory and
     related                                          34,061        32,062   128,544       119,286

    Advertising                                       23,678        21,000    98,608        88,152

    Marketing and
     promotional                                       2,555         2,383     9,629         8,860

    General and
     administrative                                   10,845        10,260    43,759        43,219

    Lease termination
     costs                                                 -          160         -        3,523
                                                         ---          ---       ---        -----

    Total costs and
     expenses                                        180,072       167,965   691,380       636,141
                                                     -------       -------   -------       -------

    Operating income                                  91,346        76,698   282,754       237,203

    Interest expense                                   (527)        (497)  (2,169)      (1,328)

    Interest and
     other income                                        757           199     2,943           249
                                                         ---           ---     -----           ---

    Income before
     income taxes                                     91,576        76,400   283,528       236,124

    Income tax
     expense                                          23,320        28,421    80,209        87,610
                                                      ------        ------    ------        ------

    Net income                                       $68,256       $47,979  $203,319      $148,514
                                                     =======       =======  ========      ========

    Earnings per share:

    Basic income per
     share                                             $1.44         $1.03     $4.31         $3.22
                                                       =====         =====     =====         =====

    Diluted income
     per share                                         $1.41         $1.01     $4.22         $3.15
                                                       =====         =====     =====         =====

    Basic weighted
     average shares
     outstanding                                      47,342        46,470    47,140        46,083
                                                      ======        ======    ======        ======

    Diluted weighted
     average shares
     outstanding                                      48,382        47,452    48,235        47,121
                                                      ======        ======    ======        ======

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income plus interest expense, less interest income and other gain (loss) recognized on investments, plus income tax expense, and plus depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted for (i) the amortization of prepaid royalty payments recorded in conjunction with a settlement of a dispute with our former owner; (ii) contributions to Arizona school tuition organizations in lieu of the payment of state income taxes; (iii) share-based compensation and (iv) one-time, unusual charges or gains, such as litigation and regulatory reserves, impairment charges and asset write-offs, and exit or lease termination costs. We present Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, because we consider it to be an important supplemental measure of our operating performance. We also make certain compensation decisions based, in part, on our operating performance, as measured by Adjusted EBITDA, and our loan agreement requires us to comply with covenants that include performance metrics substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA. All of the adjustments made in our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA are adjustments to items that management does not consider to be reflective of our core operating performance. Management considers our core operating performance to be that which can be affected by our managers in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations during that period and does not consider the items for which we make adjustments (as listed above) to be reflective of our core performance.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA allows us to compare our current operating results with corresponding historical periods and with the operational performance of other companies in our industry because it does not give effect to potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting relative interest expense, including the impact of write-offs of deferred financing costs when companies refinance their indebtedness), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses), the book amortization of intangibles (affecting relative amortization expense), and other items that we do not consider reflective of underlying operating performance. We also present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties as a measure of performance.

In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, investors should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments described above. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine, or non-recurring. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool in that, among other things it does not reflect:

    --  cash expenditures for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
    --  changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital requirements;
    --  interest expense, or the cash required to replace assets that are being
        depreciated or amortized; and
    --  the impact on our reported results of earnings or charges resulting from
        the items for which we make adjustments to our EBITDA, as described
        above and set forth in the table below.

In addition, other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with and reported under GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and only use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure for the periods indicated:


                        Three Months Ended             Year Ended
                           December 31,               December 31,
                           ------------               ------------

                          2017          2016           2017           2016
                          ----          ----           ----           ----

                                 (Unaudited, in thousands)

    Net income         $68,256       $47,979       $203,319       $148,514

    Plus: interest
     expense               527           497          2,169          1,328

    Less: interest
     income and other    (757)        (199)       (2,943)         (249)

    Plus: income tax
     expense            23,320        28,421         80,209         87,610

    Plus:
     depreciation and
     amortization       13,687        12,865         53,932         45,387
                        ------        ------         ------         ------

    EBITDA             105,033        89,563        336,686        282,590
                       -------        ------        -------        -------

    Plus: royalty to
     former owner           74            74            296            296

    Plus: fixed asset
     impairments            12            84          2,590            250

    Plus:
     contributions in
     lieu of state
     income taxes            -            -         2,025          4,000

    Plus: transaction
     expenses              212             -           212          1,136

    Plus: estimated
     litigation and
     regulatory
     reserves               33             -            64              -

    Plus: lease
     termination
     costs                   -          160              -         3,523

    Plus: share-
     based
     compensation        3,126         3,242         12,688         12,276
                         -----         -----         ------         ------

    Adjusted EBITDA   $108,490       $93,123       $354,561       $304,071
                      ========       =======       ========       ========


                                         GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

                                         Consolidated Balance Sheets


                      ASSETS:            December 31,                         December 31,

    (In thousands, except par
     value)                                                              2017                    2016
    -------------------------                                            ----                    ----

    Current assets                                    (Unaudited)

    Cash and cash equivalents                                        $153,474                 $45,976

    Restricted cash and cash
     equivalents                                                       94,534                  84,931

    Investments                                                        89,271                  62,596

    Accounts receivable, net                                           10,908                   9,538

    Income tax receivable                                               2,086                   4,686

    Other current assets                                               24,589                  22,341
                                                                       ------                  ------

    Total current assets                                              374,862                 230,068

    Property and equipment, net                                       922,284                 855,528

    Prepaid royalties                                                   2,763                   3,059

    Goodwill                                                            2,941                   2,941

    Other assets                                                          723                     897
                                                                          ---                     ---

    Total assets                                                   $1,303,573              $1,092,493
                                                                   ==========              ==========

                                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

    Current liabilities

    Accounts payable                                                  $29,139                 $24,824

    Accrued compensation and
     benefits                                                          23,173                  19,697

    Accrued liabilities                                                20,757                  21,283

    Income taxes payable                                               16,182                   2,734

    Student deposits                                                   95,298                  85,881

    Deferred revenue                                                   46,895                  40,739

    Current portion of notes
     payable                                                            6,691                  31,636
                                                                        -----                  ------

    Total current liabilities                                         238,135                 226,794

    Other noncurrent liabilities                                        1,200                   1,689

    Deferred income taxes,
     noncurrent                                                        18,362                  23,708

    Notes payable, less current
     portion                                                           59,925                  66,616
                                                                       ------                  ------

    Total liabilities                                                 317,622                 318,807
                                                                      -------                 -------

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity

    Preferred stock, $0.01 par
     value, 10,000 shares
     authorized; 0 shares issued
     and outstanding at December
     31, 2017 and December 31,
     2016                                                                   -                      -

    Common stock, $0.01 par
     value, 100,000 shares
     authorized; 52,277 and
     51,509 shares issued and
     48,125 and 47,559 shares
     outstanding at December 31,
     2017 and December 31, 2016,
     respectively                                                         523                     515

    Treasury stock, at cost,
     4,152 and 3,950 shares of
     common stock at December
     31, 2017 and December 31,
     2016, respectively                                             (100,694)               (89,394)

    Additional paid-in capital                                        232,670                 212,559

    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                                                 (724)                  (910)

    Retained earnings                                                 854,176                 650,916
                                                                      -------                 -------

    Total stockholders' equity                                        985,951                 773,686
                                                                      -------                 -------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                                          $1,303,573              $1,092,493
                                                                   ==========              ==========


                           GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

                       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                    (Unaudited)


                                                                  Year Ended December 31,
                                                                  -----------------------

    (In thousands)                                                        2017            2016
    -------------                                                         ----            ----


    Cash flows provided by operating activities:

    Net income                                                        $203,319        $148,514

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
     activities:

    Share-based compensation                                            12,688          12,276

    Provision for bad debts                                             18,478          18,639

    Depreciation and amortization                                       54,228          45,683

    Deferred income taxes                                              (5,160)          8,432

    Other, including fixed asset
     impairments                                                         3,883           1,161

    Changes in assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable                                               (19,848)       (20,598)

    Prepaid expenses and other                                         (2,399)        (1,715)

    Accounts payable                                                     5,378         (4,793)

    Accrued liabilities                                                  3,079           6,743

    Income taxes receivable/payable                                     16,048          11,892

    Deferred rent                                                        (369)          (475)

    Deferred revenue                                                     6,156           2,863

    Student deposits                                                     9,417           9,139
                                                                         -----           -----

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                                        304,898         237,761
                                                                       -------         -------

    Cash flows used in investing activities:

    Capital expenditures                                             (113,586)      (178,292)

    Purchases of land, building and golf
     course improvements related to off-
     site development                                                 (10,368)       (60,727)

    Proceeds received from note
     receivable                                                              -            501

    Return of equity method investment                                     685           1,749

    Purchases of investments                                          (94,054)       (49,157)

    Proceeds from sale or maturity of
     investments                                                        65,259          69,925
                                                                        ------          ------

    Net cash used in investing activities                            (152,064)      (216,001)
                                                                      --------        --------

    Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities:

    Principal payments on notes payable
     and capital lease obligations                                     (6,805)        (7,224)

    Debt issuance costs                                                      -          (194)

    Net borrowings from revolving line of
     credit                                                           (25,000)         25,000

    Repurchase of common shares including
     shares withheld in lieu of income
     taxes                                                            (11,300)       (20,062)

    Net proceeds from exercise of stock
     options                                                             7,372          13,207
                                                                         -----          ------

    Net cash (used in) provided by
     financing activities                                             (35,733)         10,727
                                                                       -------          ------

    Net increase in cash and cash
     equivalents and restricted cash                                   117,101          32,487

    Cash and cash equivalents and
     restricted cash, beginning of period                              130,907          98,420
                                                                       -------          ------

    Cash and cash equivalents and
     restricted cash, end of period                                   $248,008        $130,907
                                                                      ========        ========

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    Cash paid for interest                                              $2,252          $1,220

    Cash paid for income taxes                                         $69,606         $66,206

    Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing
     activities

    Purchases of property and equipment
     included in accounts payable                                       $6,682          $7,746

    Tax benefit of Spirit warrant
     intangible                                                   $          -           $253

    Shortfall tax expense from share-
     based compensation                                           $          -           $260

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results

The following is a summary of our student enrollment at December 31, 2017 and 2016 by degree type and by instructional delivery method:


                         2017(1)                2016(1)
                          ------                 ------

                                  # of Students         % of Total        # of Students         % of Total
                                 -------------          ----------        -------------         ----------

    Graduate degrees(2)                         37,339              41.4%               33,215              40.6%

    Undergraduate degree                        52,958              58.6%               48,693              59.4%
                                                ------               ----                ------               ----

    Total                                       90,297             100.0%               81,908             100.0%
                                                ======              =====                ======              =====

                         2017(1)                2016(1)
                          ------                 ------

                                  # of Students         % of Total        # of Students         % of Total
                                 -------------          ----------        -------------         ----------

    Online(3)                                   71,455              79.1%               64,646              78.9%

    Ground(4)                                   18,842              20.9%               17,262              21.1%
                                                ------               ----                ------               ----

    Total                                       90,297             100.0%               81,908             100.0%
                                                ======              =====                ======              =====


    (1)             Enrollment at December 31, 2017
                    and 2016 represents individual
                    students who attended a course
                    during the last two months of
                    the calendar quarter.  Includes
                    886 and 847 students pursuing
                    non-degree certificates at
                    December 31, 2017 and 2016,
                    respectively.

    (2)             Includes 7,703 and 7,084 students
                    pursuing doctoral degrees at
                    December 31, 2017 and 2016,
                    respectively.

    (3)             As of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
                    50.5% and 49.5%, respectively,
                    of our working adult students
                    (online and professional studies
                    students) were pursuing graduate
                    or doctoral degrees.

    (4)             Includes both our traditional on-
                    campus ground students, as well
                    as our professional studies
                    students.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grand-canyon-education-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2017-results-300602257.html

SOURCE Grand Canyon Education, Inc.