Strategic Education, Inc.
An education services company that runs online universities for working adults, including Strayer University and Capella University. It was formed in 2018 when Strayer Education and Capella Education merged. The Strayer name dates to 1892, when Dr. Seibert Irving Strayer opened Strayer's Business College in Baltimore after inventing his own shorthand method, "Strayer's Universal Shorthand."
10-Q · Quarter ended Jun 30, 2026 · SEC filing ↗
The original filing sections are available below.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere…
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements included in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Reform Act”). Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “assume,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “potential” or similar words, and include, without limitation, statements relating to future enrollment, revenues, revenues per student, earnings growth, operating expenses, and capital expenditures. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Reform Act, the Company has identified important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The assumptions, risks and uncertainties include the pace of student enrollment; our continued compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and the regulations thereunder, as well as other federal laws and regulations, institutional accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements, legislation and other actions by the U.S. Congress, actions by the current administration, rulemaking and other action by the U.S. Department of Education or other governmental entities, including without limitation action related to Title IV programs, U.S. Department of Education staffing levels, borrower defense to repayment applications, gainful employment or similar measures, 90/10, increased focus by governmental entities on for-profit education institutions, and including actions by governmental entities in Australia and New Zealand; competitive factors; risks associated with the opening of new campuses; risks associated with the offering of new educational programs and adapting to other changes; risks associated with the acquisition of other businesses, including existing educational institutions; risks related to the timing of regulatory approvals; our ability to implement our growth strategy; risks associated with the ability of our students to finance their education in a timely manner; risks associated with cybersecurity incidents, including but not limited to reputational risks and possible liability under U.S. state and federal privacy statutes and legal actions; risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence and related tools; and general economic and market conditions. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional Information We maintain a website at http://www.strategiceducation.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our web address is included as an inactive textual reference only. We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Background Strategic Education, Inc. (“SEI,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is an education services company that provides access to high-quality education through campus-based and online post-secondary education offerings, as well as through programs to develop job-ready skills for high-demand markets. We operate primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries Capella University and Strayer University, both accredited post-secondary institutions of higher education located in the United States, and Torrens University, an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education located in Australia. Our operations also include the Education Technology Services segment, which primarily develops and maintains relationships with employers to build education benefits programs that provide employees access to affordable and industry-relevant training, certificate, and degree programs, including through Workforce Edge, a full-service education benefits administration solution for employers, and Sophia Learning, which offers low-cost online general education-level courses. 30 Table of Contents Segments Overview As of June 30, 2026, we had the following reportable segments: U.S. Higher Education (“USHE”) Segment •The USHE segment provides flexible and affordable certificate and degree programs to working adults primarily through Capella University and Strayer University, including the Jack Welch Management Institute MBA, which is an offering of Strayer University. USHE also operates non-degree web and mobile application development courses through Hackbright Academy and Devmountain, which are offerings of Strayer University. •Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, both higher education institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The USHE segment provides academic offerings both online and in physical classrooms, helping working adult students develop specific competencies they can apply in their workplace. •In the second quarter of 2026, USHE enrollment decreased 0.5% to 85,894 compared to 86,339 for the same period in 2025. •Trailing 4-quarter student persistence within USHE was 89.0% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 87.4% for the same period in 2025. Student persistence is calculated as the rate of students continuing from one quarter to the next, adjusted for graduates, on a trailing 4-quarter basis. Student persistence is reported one quarter in arrears. The table below summarizes USHE trailing 4-quarter student persistence for the past 8 quarters. Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025 Q4 2025 Q1 2026 87.0 % 86.9 % 87.2 % 87.4 % 87.8 % 88.3 % 88.5 % 89.0 % •Trailing 4-quarter government provided grants and loans per credit earned within USHE decreased 5.9% as of the end of the first quarter of 2026. Government provided grants and loans per credit earned includes all federal loans and grants for students (Title IV hereafter) in our USHE institutions, and is calculated on a trailing 4-quarter basis and reported one quarter in arrears. Title IV per credit earned has been declining as employer-affiliated enrollment has grown, and as more students earn credit through Sophia Learning and other affordable alternative pathways. The table below summarizes the percentage change in USHE trailing 4-quarter Title IV per credit earned for the past 8 quarters. Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025 Q4 2025 Q1 2026 (3.8) % (2.5) % (4.7) % (6.2) % (7.1) % (9.6) % (6.7) % (5.9) % Education Technology Services (“ETS”) Segment •Our ETS segment primarily develops and maintains relationships with employers to build education benefits programs that provide employees access to affordable and industry-relevant training, certificate, and degree programs. The employer relationships developed by the ETS segment are an important source of student enrollment for Capella University and Strayer University, and a significant portion of the revenue attributed to the ETS segment is driven by the volume of enrollment derived from these employer relationships. Enrollments attributed to the ETS segment are determined based on a student’s employment status and the existence of a corporate partnership arrangement with SEI. All enrollments attributed to the ETS segment continue to be attributed to the segment until the student graduates or withdraws, even if his or her employment status changes or if the partnership contract expires. •In the second quarter of 2026, employer affiliated enrollment as a percentage of USHE enrollment was 34.7% compared to 31.8% for the same period in 2025. •ETS also supports employer partners through Workforce Edge, a platform which provides employers a full-service education benefits administration solution, and Sophia Learning, which offers low-cost online general education-level courses recommended by the American Council on Education for credit at other colleges and universities. Australia/New Zealand (“ANZ”) Segment •Torrens University is the only investor-funded university in Australia. Torrens University offers undergraduate, graduate, higher degree by research, and specialized degree courses primarily in five fields of study: business, design and creative technology, health, hospitality, and education. Courses are offered both online and at physical campuses. Torrens University is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (“TEQSA”), the regulator for higher 31 Table of Contents education providers and universities throughout Australia, as an Australian University that is authorized to self-accredit its courses. •Think Education is a vocational registered training organization and accredited higher education provider in Australia. Think Education delivers education services at several campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide as well as through online study. Think Education and its colleges are accredited in Australia by the TEQSA and the Australian Skills Quality Authority, the regulator for vocational education and training organizations that operate in Australia. •Media Design School at Strayer (“MDS”) is a private training establishment for creative and technology qualifications in New Zealand. MDS offers industry-endorsed courses in 3D animation and visual effects, game art, game programming, graphic and motion design, digital media, artificial intelligence, and creative advertising. MDS is accredited in New Zealand by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, the organization responsible for the quality assurance of non-university tertiary training providers. •In the second quarter of 2026, ANZ enrollment decreased 5.2% to 17,555 compared to 18,524 for the same period in 2025. We believe we have the right operating strategies in place to provide the most direct path between learning and employment for our students. We are constantly innovating to differentiate ourselves in our markets and drive growth by supporting student success, producing affordable degrees, optimizing our comprehensive marketing strategy, serving a broader set of our students’ professional needs, and establishing new growth platforms. The talent of our faculty and employees, supported by market leading technology, enable these strategies. We believe our strategy will allow us to continue to deliver high quality, affordable education, resulting in continued growth over the long-term. We will continue to invest in this strategy to strengthen the foundation and future of our business. Recent Developments On March 19, 2024, the Australian Fair Work Ombudsman (“FWO”) issued a compliance notice to Torrens University (“Torrens”), alleging that Torrens had underpaid an academic employee for work performed between 2018 and 2024 in violation of the Higher Education Industry – Academic Staff Award (the “Award”), which prescribes minimum wages for academic employees under Australian law. The compliance notice interpreted the Award to require that institutions compensate the academic employee for the marking of student assessments separately from and in addition to standard lecture delivery rates. On April 24, 2024, Torrens filed suit in the Federal Court of Australia (“Federal Court”) seeking judicial review of the compliance notice, arguing that FWO’s interpretation of the Award was incorrect and that time spent marking student assessments properly constituted “associated working time” and therefore was included within the lecture delivery rate. On June 16, 2025, the Federal Court set aside the compliance notice, finding that marking student assessments constituted “associated working time” when performed by lecturers in subjects they taught. The FWO appealed that decision to the Full Federal Court (“Full Court”). On March 17, 2026, the Full Court allowed the appeal, overturned the June 2025 judgment, and reinstated the compliance notice. The Full Court concluded that, under the Award, lecture delivery rates compensate only for limited associated working time and that ordinary marking work generally constitutes a separate activity requiring separate payment. Torrens filed an Application for Special Leave to appeal the Full Court’s decision to the High Court of Australia. The Company is unable to predict the final outcome of the litigation. Although the compliance notice and related litigation concern a single academic employee, the Full Court’s interpretation of the Award applies broadly to similarly situated casual academic staff. Following the Full Court’s March 2026 decision, the Company began to compensate its casual academic staff for marking hours related to 2026 academic terms and evaluated this matter, including the likelihood and potential magnitude of loss related to historical periods. As of March 31, 2026, it was not practicable to determine the financial impact of the matter, and no provision was recognized related to historical periods. While the Company continues to believe it has strong arguments on the merits, during the second quarter of 2026 it obtained further legal advice assessing the likelihood of the High Court granting Special Leave to hear the case on appeal. The Company also further evaluated the FWO’s pattern of entering into settlements with other employers in the Australian higher education sector involving similar employee compensation matters. Drawing on its understanding of these settlements, the Company has explored whether remediation could be performed solely on a prospective basis, but ultimately concluded that retrospective remediation was likely to be required. Based on these factors, the Company concluded that a loss was probable as of June 30, 2026. In addition, the Company gathered data and completed an analysis of historical marking hours that provided a reliable basis for estimating its back-pay exposure for the period from 2020 through 2025, reflecting the period for which amounts may be payable to casual academic staff, and concluded that the loss was reasonably estimable. Accordingly, during the second quarter of 2026, the Company recorded a reserve of $13.9 million, consisting of estimated back pay, related payroll taxes and benefits, and interest, within accounts payable and accrued expenses in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, with a corresponding charge to instructional and support costs in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations (“back-pay reserve”). 32 Table of Contents The $13.9 million reserve reflects the Company’s best estimate of the potential loss for the period from 2020 through 2025. The ultimate resolution of the litigation, including the outcome of Torrens’ Application for Special Leave and any subsequent proceedings before the High Court, remains uncertain, and the actual loss could differ materially from the amount reserved. The Company will continue to monitor developments, including the status of the underlying litigation, and will adjust the reserve as additional information becomes available. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments related to its allowance for credit losses; income tax provisions; the useful lives of property and equipment; redemption rates for scholarship programs and valuation of contract liabilities; fair value of right-of-use lease assets for facilities that have been vacated; incremental borrowing rates; valuation of deferred tax assets, goodwill, and intangible assets; forfeiture rates and achievability of performance targets for stock-based compensation plans; and accrued expenses. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments regarding the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management regularly reviews its estimates and judgments for reasonableness and may modify them in the future. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes that the following critical accounting policies are its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Revenue recognition — Capella University and Strayer University offer educational programs primarily on a quarter system having four academic terms, which generally coincide with our quarterly financial reporting periods. Torrens University offers the majority of its education programs on a trimester system having three primary academic terms, which all occur within the calendar year. Approximately 94% of our revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2026 consisted of tuition revenue. Capella University offers monthly start options for new students, who then transition to a quarterly schedule. Capella University also offers its FlexPath program, which allows students to determine their 12-week billing session schedule after they complete their first course. Tuition revenue for all students is recognized ratably over the period of instruction as the universities provide academic services, whether delivered in person at a physical campus or online. Tuition revenue is shown net of any refunds, withdrawals, discounts, and scholarships. The universities also derive revenue from other sources such as textbook-related income, certificate revenue, certain academic fees, licensing revenue, accommodation revenue, and food and beverage fees, which are all recognized when earned. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue Recognition, materials provided to students in connection with their enrollment in a course are recognized as revenue when control of those materials transfers to the student. At the start of each academic term or program, a contract liability is recorded for academic services to be provided, and a tuition receivable is recorded for the portion of the tuition not paid in advance. Any cash received prior to the start of an academic term or program is recorded as a contract liability. Students at Capella University and Strayer University finance their education in a variety of ways, and historically a majority of our students have participated in one or more financial aid programs provided through Title IV of the Higher Education Act. In addition, many of our working adult students finance their own education or receive full or partial tuition reimbursement from their employers. Those students who are veterans or active duty military personnel have access to various additional government-funded educational benefit programs. In Australia, domestic students may finance their education themselves or by taking a loan through the national Higher Education Loan Program provided by the Australian government to support higher education. In New Zealand, domestic students may utilize government loans to fund tuition and may be eligible for a period of “fees free” study funded by the government. International students are not eligible for funding from the Australian or New Zealand governments. A typical class is offered in weekly increments over a six- to twelve-week period, depending on the university and course type, and is followed by an exam. Student attendance is based on physical presence in class for on-ground classes. For online classes, attendance consists of logging into one’s course shell and performing an academically-related activity (e.g., engaging in a discussion post or taking a quiz). If a student withdraws from a course prior to completion, a portion of the tuition may be refundable depending on when the withdrawal occurs. We use the student’s withdrawal date or last date of attendance for this purpose. Our specific refund policies vary across the universities and non-degree programs. For students attending Capella University, our refund policy varies based 33 Table of Contents on course format. GuidedPath students are allowed a 100% refund through the first five days of the course, a 75% refund from six to twelve days, and 0% refund for the remainder of the period. FlexPath students receive a 100% refund through the 12th calendar day of the course for their first billing session only and a 0% refund after that date and for all subsequent billing sessions. For students attending Strayer University, our refund policy typically permits students who complete less than half of a course to receive a partial refund of tuition for that course. For domestic students attending an ANZ institution, refunds are typically provided to students that withdraw within the first 20% of a course term. For international students attending an ANZ institution, refunds are provided to students that withdraw prior to the course commencement date. In limited circumstances, refunds to students attending an ANZ institution may be granted after these cut-offs subject to an application for special consideration by the student and approval of that application by the institution. Refunds reduce the tuition revenue that otherwise would have been recognized for that student. Since the academic terms coincide with our financial reporting periods for most programs, nearly all refunds are processed and recorded in the same quarter as the corresponding revenue. For certain programs where courses may overlap with a quarter-end date, we estimate a refund or withdrawal rate and do not recognize the related revenue until the uncertainty related to the refund is resolved. The portion of tuition revenue refundable to students may vary based on the student’s state of residence. For U.S. students who receive funding under Title IV and withdraw, funds are subject to return provisions as defined by the Department of Education. The university is responsible for returning Title IV funds to the Department and then may seek payment from the withdrawn student of prorated tuition or other amounts charged to him or her. Loss of financial aid eligibility during an academic term is rare and would normally coincide with the student’s withdrawal from the institution. In Australia and New Zealand, government funding for eligible students is provided directly to the institution on an estimated basis annually. The amount of government funding provided is based on a course-by-course forecast of enrollments that the institution submits for the upcoming calendar year. Using the enrollment forecast provided as well as the requesting institution’s historical enrollment trends, the government approves a fixed amount, which is then funded to the institution evenly on a monthly basis. Periodic reconciliation and true-ups are undertaken between the relevant government authority and the institution based on actual eligible enrollments, which may result in a net amount being due to or from the government. Students at Strayer University registering in credit-bearing courses in any undergraduate program qualify for the Learn and Earn Scholarship (formerly known as the Graduation Fund), whereby qualifying students earn tuition credits that are redeemable in the final year of a student’s course of study if he or she successfully remains in the program. Students must meet all of Strayer University’s admission requirements and not be eligible for any previously offered scholarship program. To maintain eligibility, students must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program. Students who have more than one consecutive term of non-attendance lose any Learn and Earn Scholarship credits earned to date, but may earn and accumulate new credits if the student is reinstated or readmitted by Strayer University in the future. In their final academic year, qualifying students will receive one free course for every three courses that the student successfully completed in prior years. The Company defers the value of the related performance obligation associated with the free credits estimated to be redeemed in the future based on the underlying revenue transactions that result in progress by the student toward earning the benefit. The estimated value of awards under the Learn and Earn Scholarship that will be recognized in the future is based on historical experience of students’ persistence in completing their course of study and earning a degree and the tuition rate in effect at the time it was associated with the transaction. Estimated redemption rates of eligible students vary based on their term of enrollment. As of June 30, 2026, we had deferred $38.6 million for estimated redemptions earned under the Learn and Earn Scholarship, as compared to $38.1 million at December 31, 2025. Each quarter, we assess our assumptions underlying our estimates for persistence and estimated redemptions based on actual experience. To date, any adjustments to our estimates have not been material. However, if actual persistence or redemption rates change, adjustments to the reserve may be necessary and could be material. Tuition receivable — We record estimates for our allowance for credit losses related to tuition receivable from students primarily based on our historical collection rates by age of receivable and adjusted for reasonable expectations of future collection performance, net of recoveries. Our experience is that payment of outstanding balances is influenced by whether the student returns to the institution, as we require students to make payment arrangements for their outstanding balances prior to enrollment. Therefore, we monitor outstanding tuition receivable balances through subsequent terms, increasing the reserve on such balances over time as the likelihood of returning to the institution diminishes and our historical experience indicates collection is less likely. We periodically assess our methodologies for estimating credit losses in consideration of actual experience. If the financial condition of our students were to deteriorate based on current or expected future events resulting in evidence of impairment of their ability to make required payments for tuition payable to us, additional allowances or write-offs may be required. For the second quarter of 2026, our bad debt expense was 3.3% of revenue compared to 4.0% for the same period in 2025. A change in our allowance for credit losses of 1% of gross tuition receivable as of June 30, 2026 would have changed our income from operations by approximately $1.5 million. Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which include trade names, are recorded 34 Table of Contents at fair market value on their acquisition date. At the time of acquisition, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated to reporting units. Management identifies its reporting units by assessing whether the components of its operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management regularly reviews the operating results of those components. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed at least annually for impairment. No events or circumstances occurred in the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 to indicate an impairment to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. Accordingly, no impairment charges related to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2026. In the second quarter of 2024, the Australian government introduced proposed legislation seeking to limit the number of international students enrolled at Australian institutions. Due to the potential adverse financial impacts of the proposed regulations, in 2024 we performed a quantitative impairment assessment for goodwill assigned to the ANZ reporting unit and for the ANZ indefinite-lived intangible assets as of October 1, 2024. We determined the fair value of the ANZ reporting unit and the ANZ trade name using an income-based approach, which consisted of a discounted cash flow model that included projections of future revenues and cash flows. Based on the results of our quantitative impairment assessment, we concluded that the fair value of the ANZ reporting unit exceeded carrying value by approximately 17% and the fair value of the ANZ indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded carrying value by approximately 14%. During 2025, ANZ student enrollments were lower than 2024, largely due to constraints on international enrollment implemented by the Australian government. However, enrollment trends improved toward the end of 2025, primarily due to growth in domestic enrollment. In addition, we enrolled up to the international student cap in 2025, and it was subsequently announced that our international enrollment cap would increase in 2026. In the first quarter of 2026, student enrollment within ANZ decreased 2.5% to 19,570 compared to 20,082 for the same period in 2025, and in the second quarter of 2026, student enrollment within ANZ decreased 5.2% to 17,555 compared to 18,524 for the same period in 2025, reflecting continued constraints on international enrollment. These developments reflect a softening of the improving enrollment trends observed at the end of 2025 and are primarily due to the Australian government applying a more stringent visa approval process for international students, resulting in a higher rate of visa refusals for applicants from certain countries. While lower international enrollment was partially offset by growth in domestic enrollment, this growth did not fully offset the decline. If the regulatory constraints on international students continue and are not offset by growth in domestic enrollment, the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets associated with the ANZ reporting unit could become impaired in the future. As of June 30, 2026, the ANZ reporting unit had $526.5 million of goodwill and $66.2 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Based on qualitative evaluations performed each reporting period since our last quantitative assessment, we believe the fair value of the ANZ reporting unit remains in excess of carrying value and that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets remains in excess of carrying value as of June 30, 2026. Management will continue to assess goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment in future quarters. Other estimates — We record estimates for income tax liabilities and estimate the useful lives of our property and equipment. We also periodically review our assumed forfeiture rates and ability to achieve performance targets for stock-based awards and adjust them as necessary. Should actual results differ from our estimates, revisions to the carrying amount of property and equipment and intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, and income tax liabilities may be required. Results of Operations In the second quarter of 2026, we generated $337.3 million in revenue compared to $321.5 million for the same period in 2025. Our income from operations was $50.5 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $45.8 million for the same period in 2025, primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher instructional and support costs, which include the $13.9 million ANZ back-pay reserve. Net income in the second quarter of 2026 was $37.2 million compared to $32.3 million for the same period in 2025, and diluted earnings per share was $1.71 in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $1.37 for the same period in 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2026, we generated $643.2 million in revenue compared to $625.1 million for the same period in 2025. Our income from operations was $91.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $85.6 million for the same period in 2025, primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher operating expenses, which include the $13.9 million ANZ back-pay reserve. Net income was $70.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $62.1 million for the same period in 2025, and diluted earnings per share was $3.19 for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $2.61 for the same period in 2025. Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Revenues. Consolidated revenue increased 4.9% to $337.3 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $321.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts and higher revenue in our USHE and ETS segments. In the USHE segment for the three months ended June 30, 2026, total enrollment decreased 0.5% to 85,894 from 35 Table of Contents 86,339 for the same period in 2025. USHE segment revenue increased 2.3% to $220.5 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $215.6 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher revenue per student, partially offset by lower enrollment. In the ANZ segment for the three months ended June 30, 2026, total enrollment decreased 5.2% to 17,555 from 18,524 for the same period in 2025. ANZ segment revenue increased 7.6% to $74.4 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $69.1 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts and higher revenue per student, partially offset by lower enrollment. ETS segment revenue increased 15.4% to $42.4 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $36.7 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to growth in Sophia Learning subscriptions, an increase in Workforce Edge revenue from employer partnerships, and higher employer affiliated enrollment. Instructional and support costs. Consolidated instructional and support costs increased to $177.9 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $166.2 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to the ANZ back-pay reserve, higher technology-related and student materials costs, and unfavorable foreign currency impacts, partially offset by lower personnel-related costs, bad debt expense, facility expenses, and stock-based compensation expense. Consolidated instructional and support costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 52.7% in the second quarter of 2026 from 51.7% in the second quarter of 2025. General and administration expenses. Consolidated general and administration expenses decreased to $106.4 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $106.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to lower international agent commissions, personnel-related costs, and facility expenses, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency impacts and increased investments in branding initiatives. Consolidated general and administration expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 31.6% in the second quarter of 2026 from 33.2% in the second quarter of 2025. Restructuring costs. Restructuring costs decreased to $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to a $1.0 million decrease in asset impairment charges associated with the consolidation of underutilized facilities, partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in severance and other personnel-related expenses from employee terminations. Income from operations. Consolidated income from operations increased to $50.5 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $45.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher instructional and support costs, which include the $13.9 million ANZ back-pay reserve. USHE segment income from operations increased 56.0% to $32.4 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $20.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher revenue and lower personnel-related costs, bad debt expense, and facility expenses, partially offset by higher technology-related costs and student materials costs. ANZ segment income from operations decreased to $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $12.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to the $13.9 million back-pay reserve and higher instructional costs and technology-related costs, partially offset by lower facility expenses, international agent commissions, and stock-based compensation expense. ETS segment income from operations increased 30.2% to $19.6 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $15.0 million in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher technology-related costs and increased investments in branding initiatives. Other income (expense). Other income (expense) increased to $1.4 million of income in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $0.3 million of expense in the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in investment income related to our limited partnership investments, partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in interest income. We incurred $0.3 million of interest expense in the three months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $0.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2025. Provision for income taxes. Income tax expense was $14.7 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $13.1 million in the second quarter of 2025. Our effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2026 was 28.3% compared to 28.9% in the second quarter of 2025. Net income. Net income increased to $37.2 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $32.3 million in the second quarter of 2025 due to the factors discussed above. Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Revenues. Consolidated revenue increased to $643.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $625.1 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts and higher revenue in our ETS segment, partially offset by lower revenue in our USHE segment. USHE segment revenue decreased 0.8% to $433.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $436.6 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to lower enrollment, partially offset by higher revenue per student. ANZ segment revenue increased 7.5% to $126.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $117.4 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts, partially offset by lower enrollment. ETS segment revenue increased 18.1% to $83.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $71.0 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to growth in Sophia Learning subscriptions, an increase in Workforce 36 Table of Contents Edge revenue from employer partnerships, and higher employer affiliated enrollment. Instructional and support costs. Consolidated instructional and support costs increased to $332.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $324.4 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to the ANZ back-pay reserve, higher technology-related and student materials costs, and unfavorable foreign currency impacts, partially offset by lower bad debt expense, facility expenses, personnel-related costs, and stock-based compensation expense. Consolidated instructional and support costs as a percentage of revenues decreased to 51.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2026 from 51.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2025. General and administration expenses. Consolidated general and administration expenses increased to $214.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $210.4 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to increased investments in branding initiatives, higher technology-related costs, higher stock-based compensation expense, and unfavorable foreign currency impacts, partially offset by lower personnel-related costs, international agent commissions, and facility expenses. Consolidated general and administration expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 33.3% in the six months ended June 30, 2026 from 33.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2025. Restructuring costs. Restructuring costs decreased to $4.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $4.7 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to a $0.8 million decrease in asset impairment charges, partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in severance and other personnel-related expenses from employee terminations. Income from operations. Consolidated income from operations increased to $91.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $85.6 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher operating expenses, which include the $13.9 million ANZ back-pay reserve. USHE segment income from operations increased 14.1% to $57.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $50.7 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to lower personnel-related costs, bad debt expense, and facility expenses, partially offset by higher technology-related and student materials costs, and increased investments in branding initiatives. ANZ segment income (loss) from operations decreased to $1.0 million of loss from operations in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $10.7 million of income from operations in the same period in 2025, primarily due to the $13.9 million back-pay reserve and higher instructional costs and technology-related costs, partially offset by lower international agent commissions, stock-based compensation expense and facility expenses. ETS segment income from operations increased 36.0% to $39.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $28.9 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher technology-related costs and increased investments in branding initiatives. Other income. Other income increased to $2.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $1.9 million in the same period in 2025, primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in investment income related to our limited partnership investments, partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in interest income. We incurred $0.5 million of interest expense in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $0.5 million in the same period in 2025. Provision for income taxes. Income tax expense was $24.2 million and $25.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 include windfall tax benefits of approximately $2.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to share-based payment arrangements. Net income. Net income increased to $70.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $62.1 million in the same period in 2025 due to the factors discussed above. Non-GAAP Financial Measures We use certain financial measures including Adjusted Total Costs and Expenses, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share that are not required by or prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures, which are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules, are defined by us to exclude the following: •severance costs, asset impairment charges, gains/losses on sale of real estate and early termination of leased facilities, and other costs associated with our restructuring activities; •income/loss from partnership and other investments that are not part of our core operations; and •discrete tax adjustments related to stock-based compensation and other adjustments. To illustrate currency impacts to operating results, Revenue, Adjusted Total Costs and Expenses, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 are also presented on a constant currency basis. 37 Table of Contents When considered together with GAAP financial results, we believe these measures provide management and investors with an additional understanding of our business and operating results, including underlying trends associated with our ongoing operations. Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable with other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures may be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, GAAP results. A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided below. Adjusted income from operations was $52.9 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $48.5 million for the same period in 2025. Adjusted net income was $38.3 million in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $35.8 million for the same period in 2025, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.76 in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $1.52 for the same period in 2025. Adjusted income from operations was $96.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $90.3 million for the same period in 2025. Adjusted net income was $69.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $67.0 million for the same period in 2025, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.18 for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to $2.82 for the same period in 2025. The tables below reconcile our reported results of operations to adjusted results: Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2026 (in thousands, except per share data) Non-GAAP Adjustments As Reported (GAAP) Restructuring costs(1) Income from other investments(2) Taxadjustments(3) As Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Total costs and expenses $ 286,784 $ (2,465) $ — $ — $ 284,319 Income from operations $ 50,480 $ 2,465 $ — $ — $ 52,945 Operating margin 15.0% 15.7% Income before income taxes $ 51,831 $ 2,465 $ (311) $ — $ 53,985 Net income $ 37,159 $ 2,465 $ (311) $ (984) $ 38,329 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.71 $ 1.76 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 21,736 21,736 Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2025 (in thousands, except per share data) Non-GAAP Adjustments As Reported (GAAP) Restructuring costs(1) Loss from other investments(2) Taxadjustments(3) As Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Total costs and expenses $ 275,711 $ (2,783) $ — $ — $ 272,928 Income from operations $ 45,760 $ 2,783 $ — $ — $ 48,543 Operating margin 14.2% 15.1% Income before income taxes $ 45,445 $ 2,783 $ 2,259 $ — $ 50,487 Net income $ 32,331 $ 2,783 $ 2,259 $ (1,527) $ 35,846 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.37 $ 1.52 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 23,516 23,516 38 Table of Contents Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2026 (in thousands, except per share data) Non-GAAP Adjustments As Reported (GAAP) Restructuring costs(1) Income from other investments(2) Taxadjustments(3) As Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Total costs and expenses $ 551,627 $ (4,567) $ — $ — $ 547,060 Income from operations $ 91,565 $ 4,567 $ — $ — $ 96,132 Operating margin 14.2% 14.9% Income before income taxes $ 94,121 $ 4,567 $ (217) $ — $ 98,471 Net income $ 69,968 $ 4,567 $ (217) $ (4,404) $ 69,914 Diluted earnings per share $ 3.19 $ 3.18 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 21,954 21,954 Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2025 (in thousands, except per share data) Non-GAAP Adjustments As Reported (GAAP) Restructuring costs(1) Loss from other investments(2) Taxadjustments(3) As Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Total costs and expenses $ 539,507 $ (4,697) $ — $ — $ 534,810 Income from operations $ 85,554 $ 4,697 $ — $ — $ 90,251 Operating margin 13.7% 14.4% Income before income taxes $ 87,450 $ 4,697 $ 2,263 $ — $ 94,410 Net income $ 62,075 $ 4,697 $ 2,263 $ (2,004) $ 67,031 Diluted earnings per share $ 2.61 $ 2.82 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 23,790 23,790 _______________________________________ (1)Reflects severance costs, asset impairment charges, gains/losses on sale of real estate and early termination of leased facilities, and other costs associated with the Company’s restructuring activities. (2)Reflects income/loss recognized from the Company’s investments in partnership interests and other investments. (3)Reflects tax impacts of the adjustments described above and discrete tax adjustments related to stock-based compensation and other adjustments, utilizing an adjusted effective tax rate of 29.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 29.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. 39 Table of Contents The tables below reconcile our reported results of operations to adjusted results of operations on a constant currency basis: Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations on a Constant Currency Basis for the three months ended June 30, 2026 (in thousands, except per share data): As Reported (GAAP) Non-GAAP adjustments(1) Constant currency adjustment(2) As Adjusted with Constant Currency (Non-GAAP) Revenues $ 337,264 $ — $ (7,026) $ 330,238 Total costs and expenses $ 286,784 $ (2,465) $ (6,821) $ 277,498 Income from operations $ 50,480 $ 2,465 $ (205) $ 52,740 Operating margin 15.0% 16.0% Income before income taxes $ 51,831 $ 2,154 $ (225) $ 53,760 Net income $ 37,159 $ 1,170 $ (159) $ 38,170 Earnings per share: Diluted $ 1.71 $ 1.76 Weighted average shares outstanding: Diluted 21,736 21,736 Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations on a Constant Currency Basis for the six months ended June 30, 2026 (in thousands, except per share data): As Reported (GAAP) Non-GAAP adjustments(1) Constant currency adjustment(2) As Adjusted with Constant Currency (Non-GAAP) Revenues $ 643,192 $ — $ (12,515) $ 630,677 Total costs and expenses $ 551,627 $ (4,567) $ (11,954) $ 535,106 Income from operations $ 91,565 $ 4,567 $ (561) $ 95,571 Operating margin 14.2% 15.2% Income before income taxes $ 94,121 $ 4,350 $ (608) $ 97,863 Net income $ 69,968 $ (54) $ (431) $ 69,483 Earnings per share: Diluted $ 3.19 $ 3.16 Weighted average shares outstanding: Diluted 21,954 21,954 _________________________________________________________________________________________ (1)Reflects non-GAAP adjustments related to restructuring costs, income/loss from other investments, and tax adjustments as described further in the Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations table above. (2)Reflects an adjustment to translate foreign currency results after the non-GAAP adjustments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 at a constant exchange rate of 0.64 and 0.63 Australian Dollars to U.S. Dollars, which were the average exchange rates for the same periods in 2025. Liquidity and Capital Resources At June 30, 2026, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $133.8 million compared to $153.1 million at December 31, 2025 and $179.9 million at June 30, 2025. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents primarily in money market funds and demand deposit bank accounts at high credit quality financial institutions, which are included in cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2026 and 2025. We also hold marketable securities, which primarily include corporate debt securities, U.S. treasury securities with maturities greater than three months, and term deposits. During the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we earned interest income of $2.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively. We are party to a credit facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”), which provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million. The Amended Credit Facility provides us with an option, subject to obtaining additional loan commitments and satisfaction of certain conditions, to increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility or establish one or more incremental term loans (each, an “Incremental 40 Table of Contents Facility”) in an amount up to the sum of (x) the greater of (A) $300 million and (B) 100% of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and noncash charges, such as stock-based compensation) calculated on a trailing four-quarter basis and on a pro forma basis, and (y) if such Incremental Facility is incurred in connection with a permitted acquisition or other permitted investment, any amounts so long as the Company’s leverage ratio (calculated on a trailing four-quarter basis) on a pro forma basis will be no greater than 1.75:1.00. In addition, the Amended Credit Facility provides for a subfacility for borrowings in certain foreign currencies in an amount equal to the U.S. dollar equivalent of $150 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to Term SOFR or a base rate, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, depending on our leverage ratio. An unused commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% per annum, depending on our leverage ratio, accrues on unused amounts. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants related to the Amended Credit Facility as of June 30, 2026. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025. During the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, we paid $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of interest and unused commitment fees related to our Revolving Credit Facility. Our net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased to $116.6 million, compared to $98.9 million for the same period in 2025. The increase in net cash from operating activities was primarily due to higher earnings and favorable changes in working capital. Our net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased to $21.9 million, compared to $4.6 million for the same period in 2025. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to a $34.2 million decrease in cash proceeds from marketable securities and other investments and a $3.0 million increase in capital expenditures, partially offset by a $20.0 million decrease in purchases of marketable securities. Capital expenditures increased to $24.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to $21.2 million for the same period in 2025, primarily due to increased technology investments. Our net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2026 increased to $112.2 million, compared to $98.4 million for the same period in 2025. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a $12.7 million increase in share repurchases and a $3.3 million increase in net payments for employee stock awards, partially offset by a $2.3 million decrease in cash dividend payments. The Board of Directors declared a regular, quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share of common stock in the first two quarters of 2026. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we paid a total of $26.9 million in cash dividends on our common stock, compared to $29.2 million for the same period in 2025. During the six months ended June 30, 2026, we paid $72.7 million to repurchase shares of common stock in the open market under our repurchase program, compared to $60.0 million for the same period in 2025. As of June 30, 2026, we had $140.7 million remaining in share repurchase authorization to use through December 31, 2026. For the second quarter of 2026 and 2025, bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was 3.3% and 4.0%, respectively. Our recurring cash requirements consist primarily of general operating expenses, capital expenditures, discretionary dividend payments, income tax payments, and contractual obligations related to our lease agreements, limited partnership investments, marketing agreements, and Revolving Credit Facility. We believe that the combination of our existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, cash generated from operating activities, and if necessary, cash available under our Amended Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for the next 12 months and beyond.
Interest Rate Risk We are subject to the impact of interest rate changes and may be subject to changes in the market values of our future investments. We invest our excess cash in money market mutual funds, bank overnight deposits, U.S. treasury bills, and marketable securities.…
Interest Rate Risk We are subject to the impact of interest rate changes and may be subject to changes in the market values of our future investments. We invest our excess cash in money market mutual funds, bank overnight deposits, U.S. treasury bills, and marketable securities. We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Earnings from investments in money market mutual funds, bank overnight deposits, U.S. treasury bills, and marketable securities may be adversely affected in the future should interest rates decline, although such a decline may reduce the interest rate payable on any borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. Our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. As of June 30, 2026, a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a material impact on our future earnings, fair values, or cash flows related to investments in cash equivalents or interest earning marketable securities. We had no outstanding debt under our Amended Credit Facility as of June 30, 2026. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at Term SOFR or a base rate, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, depending on our leverage ratio. 41 Table of Contents An unused commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.30%, depending on our leverage ratio, accrues on unused amounts under the Amended Credit Facility. An increase in Term SOFR would affect interest expense on any outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. For every 100 basis points increase in Term SOFR, we would incur an incremental $2.5 million in interest expense per year assuming the entire $250 million Revolving Credit Facility was utilized. Foreign Currency Risk The United States Dollar (“USD”) is our reporting currency. The functional currency of each of our foreign subsidiaries is the currency of the economic environment in which the subsidiary primarily does business. Revenues denominated in currencies other than the USD accounted for 19.6% of our consolidated revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2026. We therefore have foreign currency risk related to these currencies, which is primarily the Australian dollar. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of foreign currencies relative to the USD may negatively affect our revenue and operating income as expressed in the USD. For the six months ended June 30, 2026, a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the average foreign currency exchange rates would have decreased our consolidated revenues by approximately $12.6 million. In addition, the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was an increase of $0.1 million. We do not use foreign exchange contracts or derivatives to hedge any foreign currency exposures.
Read original filing text →We are involved in litigation and other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of our business. From time to time, certain matters may arise that are other than ordinary and routine. The outcome of such matters is uncertain, and we may incur costs in the future to…
We are involved in litigation and other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of our business. From time to time, certain matters may arise that are other than ordinary and routine. The outcome of such matters is uncertain, and we may incur costs in the future to defend, settle, or otherwise resolve them. We currently believe that the ultimate outcome of such matters will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, depending on the amount and timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect future results of operations in a particular period. See Note 16, Litigation, in the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information regarding our legal proceedings and related matters, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Read original filing text →You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which could materially affect our business, adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could cause you to…
You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which could materially affect our business, adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could cause you to suffer a partial or complete loss of your investment. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, other than as set forth below. The risks described below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also could materially adversely affect our business. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Capella University or Strayer University could lose its eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs or be provisionally certified with respect to such participation if the percentage of its revenues derived from those programs were too high, or could be restricted from enrolling students in certain states if the percentage of the University’s revenues from federal or state programs were too high. A proprietary institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the federal Title IV student financial aid program if it derives more than 90% of its revenues, on a cash basis, from “federal education assistance” (i.e., all federal funds, including U.S. Department of Defense military tuition assistance and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits funds) for two consecutive fiscal years. A proprietary institution of higher education that violates the 90/10 Rule for any fiscal year will be placed on provisional status for up to two fiscal years. For fiscal year 2025, Capella University derived approximately 68.30% of its cash-basis revenues from federal education assistance. For fiscal year 2025, Strayer University derived approximately 87.98% of its cash-basis revenues from federal education assistance. From time to time, legislation has been introduced in both chambers of Congress that seeks to modify or eliminate the 90/10 Rule. We cannot predict whether Congress will pass any of these legislative proposals. Violation of the 90/10 Rule may result in the loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. Certain states have also proposed legislation that would prohibit enrollment of their residents based on a state and federal funding threshold that is more restrictive than the federal 90/10 Rule. If such legislation were to be enacted, and Capella University or Strayer University were unable to meet the threshold, loss of eligibility to enroll students in certain states would have a material adverse effect on our business. If either Capella University or Strayer University fails to maintain any of its state or foreign authorizations, the University would lose its ability to operate in the relevant jurisdiction and to participate in Title IV programs there. Capella University is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, as required for most post-secondary private institutions granting associate-level or higher degrees in Minnesota and as required to participate in Title IV programs. Loss of state authorization would limit Capella University’s ability to operate in that state, render it ineligible for Title IV programs, and could have a material adverse effect on our business. Each Strayer University campus is authorized to operate and grant degrees, diplomas, or certificates by the applicable education agency or agencies of the state where the campus is located. This authorization is required for students at the campus to participate in Title IV programs. Loss of state authorization would limit Strayer University’s operations in that state, render it ineligible for Title IV programs at least at those state campus locations, and could have a material adverse effect on our business. On December 19, 2016, the Department of Education issued final regulations, effective May 26, 2019, requiring institutions offering distance education programs to be authorized by each state in which the institution enrolls students (other than the state(s) in which the institution is physically located), if such authorization is required by the state, in order to award Title IV aid to such students. Authorization can be obtained directly from the state or (except in California) through a state authorization reciprocity agreement. Failure to maintain required authorization for distance education in a state in which the institution is not physically 43 Table of Contents located could result in loss of the ability to offer distance education there and award Title IV aid to online students in that state. The 2016 rule, and rules issued on November 1, 2019 and effective July 1, 2020, require disclosures of state licensure prerequisites for professional programs and whether programs meet them in each state where students are located, with direct disclosures to students/prospective students if a program does not meet requirements (or general public disclosure if no determination has been made), and notification to students within 14 days of determining that a program does not meet a state’s requirements. Noncompliance could lead the Department to limit, suspend, or terminate Title IV participation or impose penalties such as refunds, liabilities, or fines. Pursuant to Department regulations effective July 1, 2024, in each state where an institution is located, students are located, or students attest that they intend to seek employment, the institution must determine that each Title IV-eligible program: (i) is programmatically accredited if required by the state or a federal agency (including for employment in the prepared occupation); (ii) satisfies applicable educational requirements for professional licensure/certification so graduates qualify to take required exams for relevant practice or employment in that state; and (iii) complies with all state laws related to closure, including record retention, teach-out plans/agreements, and tuition recovery funds/surety bonds. Institutions may not enroll Title IV students in a state where the program fails these requirements unless the student attests at initial enrollment to seeking employment in another state that satisfies them. Capella University and Strayer University participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”), enabling enrollment of distance education students in SARA member states. The Universities apply separately to non-SARA states (e.g., California) for required authorization. Failure to comply with SARA requirements or state licensing for distance education in non-SARA states could result in loss of SARA participation or state authorization for distance education there. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (“NC-SARA”) considers potential policy changes each year. Past proposals, including more stringent standards for participation of for-profit institutions or exclusion of for-profit institutions from participation, were not adopted, but illustrate the risk that future changes could materially adversely affect Capella University, Strayer University, and the Company. For example, exclusion from SARA would require seeking authorization in each state, increasing costs and risking denials in some jurisdictions. On January 21, 2026, NC-SARA initiated its 2026 policy manual modification process with a call for proposals for SARA policy changes. The call for proposals ended February 10, 2026 and yielded 33 proposed changes to NC-SARA policies, some of which, if adopted, could significantly alter the distance education reciprocity agreements. Such proposals included circumstances under which an institution may be denied participation in SARA or have its participation limited as a result of investigations or adverse actions against it related to the institution’s academic quality, financial stability, or student consumer protection issues. On April 24, 2026, NC-SARA will hold its public comment forum to seek input on these proposed changes. In addition to the public comment forum, NC-SARA permitted submission of written comments in two rounds: between March 10, 2026 and April 9, 2026, and between June 9, 2026 and July 7, 2026. NC-SARA’s regional compacts/regional steering committees and the NC-SARA board of directors will vote on each proposal presented by September 2, 2026, and October 28, 2026, respectively. We cannot predict whether NC-SARA will adopt any of these proposals. The adoption of certain proposals, including those described above, to the extent they affect the ability of institutions to participate in the agreements, could have a material adverse effect on Capella University, Strayer University, and the Company. The failure by Capella University or Strayer University to comply with the Department of Education’s misrepresentation rules could result in sanctions and other liability. The Higher Education Act prohibits an institution that participates in Title IV programs from engaging in “substantial misrepresentation” of the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates. The Department of Education has issued various regulations over the years that defined misrepresentation, including as it relates to BDTR claims. In the event of substantial misrepresentation, the Department of Education may revoke or terminate an institution’s program participation agreement, limit the institution’s participation in Title IV programs, deny applications from the institution, such as to add new programs or locations, initiate proceedings to fine the institution or limit, suspend, or terminate its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs; relieve the borrower of the obligation to repay federal education loans in whole or in part under the BDTR Rule and require the institution to reimburse the Department for those amounts. If the Department or other third parties interpret statements made by one of the universities or on the university’s behalf to be in violation of the new regulations, the university could be subject to sanctions and other liability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. As described in this report and in Note 21, Litigation, in the consolidated financial statements appearing in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Department of Education has begun to adjudicate BDTR claims and in some cases may seek recoupment of discharged claims from institutions. On January 25, 2024, Capella University received notice from the Department of BDTR applications, and on February 1, 2024, Strayer University received notice from the 44 Table of Contents Department of BDTR applications. In March 2026, the Department announced it would resume notifying institutions of borrower defense to repayment applications. The Department subsequently informed Capella University and Strayer University that they would be receiving additional borrower defense claims between May and July 2026. The Company operates institutions in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, and is subject to complex business, economic, legal, political, geopolitical, and foreign currency risks, which risks may be difficult to address adequately. The Company operates in three different countries, each of which is subject to complex business, economic, legal, political, tax and foreign currency risks. We also either have operations in or contract with vendors who may have employees in various countries. We may have difficulty managing and administering an internationally dispersed business, which may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. Additional challenges associated with the international conduct of the business that may materially adversely affect our operating results include: •each of our institutions is subject to unique regulatory schemes, business challenges, and competitive pressures; •difficulty maintaining quality standards consistent with our brands and with local accreditation standards; •fluctuations in exchange rates, possible currency devaluations, inflation and hyperinflation; •compliance with a variety of domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including interpretations of employment laws and modern awards that result in additional compensation obligations, including retroactive amounts; •political elections and changes in government policies; •potential economic, political, and geopolitical instability affecting the countries in which we and our vendors operate; and •limitations on the repatriation and investment of funds and foreign currency exchange restrictions. Student loan defaults in the U.S. could result in the loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. In general, under the Higher Education Act, an educational institution may lose its eligibility to participate in some or all Title IV programs if, for three consecutive federal fiscal years, 30% or more of its students who were required to begin repaying their student loans in the relevant federal fiscal year default on their payment by the end of the second federal fiscal year following that fiscal year. Institutions with a cohort default rate equal to or greater than 15% for any of the three most recent fiscal years for which data are available are subject to a 30-day delayed disbursement period for first-year, first-time borrowers. In addition, an institution may lose its eligibility to participate in some or all Title IV programs if its default rate for a federal fiscal year was greater than 40%. If Capella University or Strayer University loses eligibility to participate in Title IV programs because of high student loan default rates, the loss would have a material adverse effect on our business. Because of Covid-era loan forbearance, Capella University’s, Strayer University’s, and the average official cohort default rates for proprietary institutions nationally were 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0% for federal fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. The federal government’s cessation of the pause on federal student loan payments could result in an increase in the number of borrowers defaulting on their student loans, including among our graduates. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was signed into law on July 4, 2025 and makes changes to federal student loan repayment plans, among other things. OBBBA and regulatory provisions that change repayment plans effective July 1, 2026, could affect borrowers’ ability to repay their student loans and could result in an increased number of borrowers defaulting on their student loans, including among our graduates. Our failure to comply with the Department of Education’s gainful employment regulations effective July 1, 2024, as well as Congressionally legislated accountability metrics effective July 1, 2026, could result in heightened disclosure requirements and loss of Title IV eligibility. To be eligible for Title IV funding, academic programs at proprietary institutions generally must prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. On September 27, 2023, the Department of Education issued final gainful employment regulations, effective July 1, 2024 (the “2023 Gainful Employment Rule”). The rule requires programs to pass two independent metrics to maintain Title IV eligibility: (1) a debt-to-earnings ratio, where annual debt payments must not exceed 8% of median annual earnings or 20% of median discretionary earnings of graduates who received federal aid; and (2) an earnings premium test, where median earnings of such graduates must exceed a threshold based on typical high school graduates in the state (or nationally in some cases) within a specified age range. 45 Table of Contents On October 2, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas upheld the 2023 Gainful Employment Rule, rejecting challenges from plaintiff cosmetology schools and associations. Accordingly, the 2023 Gainful Employment Rule remains in effect; programs failing the metrics for two of three consecutive years risk losing federal student aid. Plaintiffs filed a notice to appeal in November 2025. Starting July 1, 2026, programs failing either metric in a single year must issue warnings to current and prospective students, detailing the failure and potential loss of Title IV eligibility. Programs failing the same metric in two of three consecutive years will lose Title IV funding. The Department had indicated that it would release metrics starting in the 2025 award year; if so, the earliest a program could lose eligibility is 2026. The OBBBA establishes a separate accountability framework, effective July 1, 2026, for Federal Direct Loan eligibility at the program level. Undergraduate programs become ineligible if, in two of three consecutive years, median earnings of completers (from a cohort four years prior, working, not enrolled, and who received Direct Loans) fall below those of state (or national) working adults aged 25-34 with only a high school diploma. Graduate/professional programs become ineligible if completers’ median earnings fall below those of working adults aged 25-34 with only a bachelor’s degree, using Census data and the lesser of state or national comparators in the field or overall (with national fallback if fewer than 50% of students are in-state). Small cohorts (less than 30) may be aggregated. One-year failures trigger risk notifications; an appeals process is required, with eligibility continuing during appeals. Ineligible programs may reapply after two years per Secretary-established rules. On June 29, 2026, the Department released final regulations on the accountability packages, which it named the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2027. Certain changes take effect earlier, including changes relating to reporting obligations beginning July 1, 2026, and, effective August 31, 2026, amendments to program participation agreements to incorporate the STATS and Earnings Accountability framework as a condition of Direct Loan eligibility. The accountability packages implement the OBBBA’s separate accountability framework for Federal Direct Loan eligibility at the program level, with separate frameworks based on program type and in certain cases cohort size. One-year failures of the relevant metrics trigger risk notifications (i.e., warnings to students and prospective students that the program could become ineligible for the Direct Loan program based on future earnings premium measures). Programs that fail the relevant metrics in two out of three consecutive years become ineligible for Federal Direct Loans, and ineligible programs may reapply after two years per Secretary-established rules. Institutions may appeal Department determinations that a program has failed on the basis of an error in the Department’s calculation of the program’s earnings premium measure, and program eligibility continues during the appeal process. The final regulations also permit an institution with a one-year failure of the relevant metrics to conduct a voluntary “orderly program closure” with the Secretary’s approval under which it would meet certain program discontinuation requirements in exchange for retaining Direct Loan eligibility for the lesser of three years or the program’s full-time length, while currently enrolled students complete their program. If more than half of an institution’s Title IV recipients or more than half of its Title IV, HEA funds are from failing programs in two out of any three consecutive award years, the Department will place the institution on a provisional program participation status and each of the institution’s failing programs will be ineligible for all Title IV, HEA funds (including, for example, Pell Grants). The Department has indicated it intends to publish the first round of metrics in the 2027-2028 award year, with program sanctions first going into effect in 2028-2029. Additionally, to harmonize with existing rules, the final regulations rescind some aspects of the existing gainful employment regulation, including the debt/earnings calculations. The requirements associated with the gainful employment regulations and OBBBA’s accountability framework (which is distinct from and in addition to the gainful employment regulations) may substantially increase our administrative burdens and could affect our program offerings, student enrollment, persistence and retention. It is difficult to predict whether our programs will satisfy the gainful employment metrics or OBBBA accountability metrics. Further, the continuing eligibility of our academic programs will be affected by factors beyond management’s control such as changes in our graduates’ employment and income levels, changes in student borrowing levels, increases in interest rates, and various other factors. Even if we were able to correct any deficiency in the gainful employment or OBBBA accountability metrics in a timely manner, the disclosure requirements associated with a program’s failure to meet at least one metric may adversely affect student enrollments in that program and may adversely affect the reputation of our institution. Our business could be harmed if Congress makes changes to the availability of Title IV funds. Each of Capella University and Strayer University collected the majority of its fiscal year 2025 total consolidated net revenue from receipt of Title IV financial aid program funds, principally from federal student loans under the Federal Direct Loan Program. Changes in the availability of these funds or a reduction in the amount of funds disbursed may have a material adverse effect on our enrollment, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. 46 Table of Contents OBBBA eliminates, effective July 2026, Federal Direct PLUS loans for graduate and professional students, with some limited grandfathering for current graduate and professional student borrowers. The law also sets new annual and aggregate loan limits for such borrowers, with some limited grandfathering. For graduate students, OBBBA maintains existing loan limits of $20,500 annually for unsubsidized loans in the Direct Loan Program; for professional students enrolled on or after July 1, 2026, OBBBA raises the annual limits to $50,000. For graduate students who are not and have not been professional students, the new aggregate graduate loan limit is $100,000, irrespective of any undergraduate borrowing. With respect to graduate students who are or have been professional students, the aggregate graduate loan limit is generally $200,000 minus the amounts borrowed for the professional degree program. With respect to professional students, the aggregate graduate loan limit is generally $200,000 minus certain other previously borrowed amounts, including certain subsidized loans and amounts borrowed as a graduate student, if applicable. OBBBA also created a lifetime maximum aggregate amount for Title IV loans that a student may borrow of $257,500 (other than a loan made to the student as a parent borrower on behalf of a dependent student). OBBBA provides institutions the opportunity to limit the amount of loans a student may borrow in an academic year as long as any such limit is applied consistently to all students enrolled in such program of study. Additionally, OBBBA requires that the amount of loan funds available under a student’s annual loan eligibility must be reduced in direct proportion to the degree to which that student is not enrolled on a full-time basis during an academic year; the Department initially indicated in July 2025 that it planned to release a schedule of reductions for public comment later in 2025, which institutions would be required to use for students who enrolled less than full-time for academic years 2026-27 and beyond. However, in connection with negotiated rulemaking, consensus was reached in November 2025 on regulatory text that would establish loan eligibility at the time of disbursement using an agreed calculation for less than full-time students, and final implementing regulations were released on May 1, 2026. Effective July 2026, students with a Student Aid Index that equals or exceeds twice the maximum Pell Grant amount will be ineligible for Pell Grants. A student will also be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant during any period for which the student receives grant aid from a non-federal source (including states, institutional aid, or private sources) in an amount that equals or exceeds the student’s cost of attendance. Additionally, OBBBA creates Workforce Pell Grants effective July 2026 for students enrolled in eligible workforce programs. Eligible workforce programs must meet a specific definition, including that they are accredited, short-term, career-focused programs (150 to 600 clock hours of instruction over 8 to 15 weeks), which prepare students to pursue one or more certificate or degree programs. In addition, they must be approved by the state governor, aligned with high-demand, high-skill or high-wage jobs, have at least 70% completion and job placement rates, and tuition must be less than the value-added earnings of graduates who received the Workforce Pell Grant. Workforce Pell Grants may not be combined with a regular Pell grant. Changes in the availability of Title IV funds could affect students’ ability to fund their education and thus may have a material adverse effect on our enrollment, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
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