Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ: LOPE) grows 2025 adjusted earnings and guides higher EPS for 2026

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. reported higher service revenue and strong profitability for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025, while outlining a solid 2026 outlook. Q4 2025 service revenue rose to $308,119 thousand from $292,573 thousand, with net income increasing to $86,732 thousand from $81,879 thousand and diluted EPS improving to $3.14 from $2.84.

For full-year 2025, service revenue grew to $1,106,070 thousand from $1,033,002 thousand. Net income was $216,170 thousand versus $226,234 thousand, as results included a $35,000 thousand litigation settlement and other one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $368,588 thousand from $340,013 thousand, and non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $9.08 from $8.04.

Liquidity, measured as unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and investments, was $300.1 million at December 31, 2025, down from $324.6 million a year earlier, mainly due to $264,758 thousand of share repurchases and continued capital spending. Operating cash flow remained strong at $273,491 thousand in 2025.

For full-year 2026, the company guided to non-GAAP diluted income per share between $9.79 and $10.40, which excludes a $0.24 impact from non-cash amortization of intangible assets, with quarterly EPS guidance ranges also provided.

Insights

Equity research analyst

Revenue and adjusted earnings are growing, but cash is being deployed heavily into buybacks and one-time charges affected GAAP results.

Grand Canyon Education delivered Q4 2025 service revenue of $308,119 thousand and full-year revenue of $1,106,070 thousand, both up versus 2024. Q4 net income rose to $86,732 thousand, while full-year net income dipped to $216,170 thousand due largely to a $35,000 thousand litigation settlement and other adjusting items.

On a non-GAAP basis, performance strengthened: Adjusted EBITDA increased to $368,588 thousand from $340,013 thousand, and non-GAAP diluted EPS climbed to $9.08 from $8.04. This suggests the core services business to 20 university partners remained healthy despite higher technology, marketing, and counseling expenses noted in the income statement.

The company generated robust operating cash flow of $273,491 thousand in 2025 but reduced its unrestricted cash and investments to $300.1 million at December 31, 2025, largely because share repurchases and capital expenditures exceeded cash from operations. For 2026, management targets non-GAAP diluted EPS between $9.79 and $10.40, after a $0.24 per-share non-cash amortization impact, with quarterly guidance ranges provided for each quarter of 2026.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 2.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial

Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0001434588false00014345882026-02-182026-02-18

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 18, 2026

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

	​		​
Delaware	​ ​ ​	001-34211	​ ​ ​	20-3356009
(State or other Jurisdiction of	​	(Commission File Number)	​	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation)	​	​	​	​

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​

	​
2600 W. Camelback Road	​
Phoenix, Arizona	85017
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 247-4400

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(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	LOPE	Nasdaq Global Select Market

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 18, 2026, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. reported its results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.  The press release dated February 18, 2026 is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01. Consolidated Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1       Press Release dated February 18, 2026

104Cover Page Interactive Date File (imbedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	​ ​ ​	Description
​	​	​
99.1	​	Press Release dated February 18, 2026
104	​	Cover Page Interactive Date File (imbedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

​	​	​
​	GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.
​	​	​
Date: February 18, 2026	By:	/s/ Daniel E. Bachus
​	​	Daniel E. Bachus
​	​	Chief Financial Officer
​	​	(Principal Financial Officer)

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Exhibit 99.1

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NEWS RELEASE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Investor Relations Contact:

Daniel E. Bachus

Chief Financial Officer

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

602-639-6648

Dan.bachus@gce.com

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GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC. REPORTS

FOURTH QUARTER 2025 RESULTS

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PHOENIX, AZ., February 18, 2026—Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE), (“GCE” or the “Company”), is a publicly traded education services company that currently provides services to 20 university partners. GCE provides a full array of support services in the post-secondary education sector and has developed significant technological solutions, infrastructure and operational processes to provide superior services in these areas on a large scale. GCE today announced financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.

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1

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

For the three months ended December 31, 2025:

● Service revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2025 was $308.1 million, an increase of $15.5 million, or 5.3%, as compared to service revenue of $292.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The increase year over year in service revenue was primarily due to an increase in university partner enrollments of 7.1% to 136,239 at December 31, 2025 as compared to 127,155 at December 31, 2024. Revenue per student decreased slightly between years primarily due to contract modifications with some of our university partners in which our revenue share percentage was reduced in exchange for us no longer reimbursing these partners for certain faculty costs which had the effect of reducing revenue per student, as well as a slight decline year over year in revenue per student for online students due to the continued mix shift to students that have a slightly lower net tuition rate. Revenue per student also declined due to the start date for the ground campus at Grand Canyon University (“GCU”), our most significant partner, shifting one day of revenue from the fourth quarter to the third quarter in 2025 which had a $0.9 million impact. These decreases were partially offset by the service revenue per student for accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“ABSN”) students at our off-campus classroom and laboratory sites generating a significantly higher revenue per student than we earn under our agreement with GCU as these agreements generally provide us with a higher revenue share percentage, the partners have higher tuition rates than GCU and the majority of our partners’ students take more credits on average per semester.

● GCU enrollments increased to 131,826 at December 31, 2025, an increase of 7.0% over enrollments at December 31, 2024. University partner enrollments at our off-campus classroom and laboratory sites were 5,738, an increase of 16.6% over enrollments at December 31, 2024, which includes 1,325 and 913 GCU students at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Excluding sites closed in 2024 to new enrollments, total enrollments at our off-campus classroom and laboratory sites increased 18.7% between years. We opened six sites in the year ended December 31, 2024 and five new sites in the year ended December 31, 2025, closed two sites at which we stopped recruiting new students in 2024 and merged two sites that were located in the same market bringing the total number of these off-campus sites to 47 at December 31, 2025, all of which has also positively impacted the enrollment growth. Enrollments for GCU ground students were 24,678 at December 31, 2025 up from 24,552 at December 31, 2024. GCU online enrollments were 107,148 at December 31, 2025, up from 98,597 at December 31, 2024, an increase of 8.7% between years.

● Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2025 was $108.1 million, an increase of $8.1 million, or 8.1%, as compared to $100.0 million for the same period in 2024. The operating margin for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was 35.1% and 34.2%, respectively.

● Income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2025 was $25.0 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 13.5%, as compared to income tax expense of $22.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. Our effective tax rate was 22.4% during the three months ended December 31, 2025 compared to 21.2% during the three months ended December 31, 2024. The effective tax rate increased year over year due to higher state income taxes.

● Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2025 was $86.7 million, an increase of $4.8 million, or 5.9% as compared to $81.9 million for the same period in 2024. As adjusted net income was $88.7 million and $85.1 million for the fourth quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

● Diluted net income per share was $3.14 and $2.84 for the fourth quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively. As adjusted diluted net income per share was $3.21 and $2.95 for the fourth quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

● Adjusted EBITDA increased 5.8% to $123.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to $116.6 million for the same period in 2024.

For the year ended December 31, 2025:

● Service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $1,106.1 million, an increase of $73.1 million, or 7.1%, as compared to service revenue of $1,033.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase year over year in service revenue was primarily due to an increase in university partner enrollments of 7.1% to 136,239 at December 31, 2025 as compared to 127,155 at December 31, 2024. Revenue per student was flat between years primarily due to the additional day for leap year in 2024 which added additional service revenue of $1.5 million as compared to 2025, contract modifications with some of our university partners in which our revenue share percentage was reduced in exchange for us no longer reimbursing these partners for certain faculty costs, a slight decline year over year in revenue per student for online students due to the continued mix shift to students that have a slightly lower net tuition

2

rate, and a slight decline in residential students at GCU between years. These decreases were offset by the service revenue per student for ABSN students at off-campus classroom and laboratory sites generating a significantly higher revenue per student than we earn under our agreement with GCU, as these agreements generally provide us with a higher revenue share percentage, the partners have higher tuition rates than GCU and the majority of our partners’ students take more credits on average per semester.

● Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $265.9 million, a decrease of $9.5 million, or 3.4%, as compared to $275.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The operating margin for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was 24.0% and 26.7%, respectively. Operating income and operating margin were materially impacted in the year ended December 31, 2025 by a litigation settlement of $35.0 million related to a qui tam lawsuit; lease termination, impairment and other costs in the amount of $2.4 million due to the Company executing its lease termination provision on an office lease and the impairment of two off-campus classroom and laboratory site leases as the teach out at those locations has completed; loss on disposal of assets of $0.9 million; and $0.3 million of severance costs. Operating income and operating margin were negatively impacted in the year ended December 31, 2024 by impairment and other costs of $1.9 million, severance costs of $1.1 million related to an executive that resigned effective June 30, 2024 and loss on disposal of assets of $0.1 million. Excluding these costs and the amortization of intangible assets of $8.4 million in both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin were $313.0 million and 28.3%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin of $287.0 million and 27.8%, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2024. The operating income and operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2025 were positively impacted as compared to 2024 by contract modifications with some of our university partners in which our revenue share percentage was reduced in exchange for us no longer reimbursing the partner for certain faculty costs which had the effect of reducing operating expenses and revenue per student, which effects were partially offset by the additional day for leap year in 2024 which added additional service revenue of $1.5 million as compared to 2025.

● Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $63.7 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 2.2%, as compared to income tax expense of $65.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. This decrease is primarily due to the decrease in our income before taxes between years. Our effective tax rate was 22.8% during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to 22.3% during the year ended December 31, 2024. The effective tax rate was favorably impacted year over year primarily due to an increase in excess tax benefits of $2.7 million as compared to $1.5 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The effective tax rate was also favorably impacted by an increase in contributions made in lieu of state income taxes to $5.0 million as compared to $4.5 million in the prior year. These impacts were offset by the tax treatment of the litigation settlement recorded in the third quarter and changes in state income taxes.

● Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $216.2 million, a decrease of $10.0 million, or 4.4% as compared to $226.2 million for the same period in 2024. As adjusted net income was $254.5 million and $235.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

● Diluted net income per share was $7.71 and $7.73 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As adjusted diluted net income per share was $9.08 and $8.04 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

● Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.4% to $368.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $340.0 million for the same period in 2024.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity position, as measured by cash and cash equivalents and investments decreased by $24.5 million between December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, which was largely attributable to cash expended for share repurchases and capital expenditures exceeding our cash provided by operations during the year ended December 31, 2025. Our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investments were $300.1 million and $324.6 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

3

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results and Full Year Outlook 2026

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2026 Outlook

Q1 2026:

● Service revenue of between $307.0 million and $308.0 million;

● Operating margin of between 30.0% and 30.3%;

● Effective tax rate of 23.4%;

● Diluted EPS of between $2.70 and $2.73; and

● 27.0 million diluted shares.

The diluted EPS guidance includes non-cash amortization of intangible assets net of taxes of $1.6 million, which equates to a $0.06 impact on diluted EPS. Thus, as adjusted, non-GAAP diluted income per share of between $2.76 and $2.79.

Q2 2026:

● Service revenue of between $260.0 million and $264.0 million;

● Operating margin of between 20.1% and 21.3%;

● Effective tax rate of 24.9%;

● Diluted EPS of between $1.56 and $1.68; and

● 26.6 million diluted shares.

The diluted EPS guidance includes non-cash amortization of intangible assets net of taxes of $1.6 million, which equates to a $0.06 impact on diluted EPS. Thus, as adjusted, non-GAAP diluted income per share of between $1.62 and $1.74.

Q3 2026:

● Service revenue of between $271.5 million and $278.5 million;

● Operating margin of between 21.0% and 23.0%;

● Effective tax rate of 24.9%;

● Diluted EPS of between $1.72 and $1.91; and

● 26.3 million diluted shares.

The diluted EPS guidance includes non-cash amortization of intangible assets net of taxes of $1.6 million, which equates to a $0.06 impact on diluted EPS. Thus, as adjusted, non-GAAP diluted income per share of between $1.78 and $1.97.

Q4 2026:

● Service revenue of between $329.0 million and $338.5 million;

● Operating margin of between 36.4% and 38.2%;

● Effective tax rate of 24.3%;

● Diluted EPS of between $3.57 and $3.85; and

● 26.0 million diluted shares.

The diluted EPS guidance includes non-cash amortization of intangible assets net of taxes of $1.6 million, which equates to a $0.06 impact on diluted EPS. Thus, as adjusted, non-GAAP diluted income per share of between $3.63 and $3.91.

Full Year 2026:

● Service revenue of between $1,167.5 million and $1,189.0 million;

● Operating margin of between 27.5% and 28.8%;

● Effective tax rate of 24.3%;

● Diluted EPS between $9.55 and $10.16; and

● 26.5 million diluted shares.

The diluted EPS guidance includes non-cash amortization of intangible assets net of taxes of $6.4 million, which equates to a $0.24 impact on diluted EPS. Thus, as adjusted, non-GAAP diluted income per share of between $9.79 and $10.40.

4

Forward-Looking Statements

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This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws including 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: proposed new programs; whether regulatory, economic, or business developments or other matters may or may not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity; projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, and forecasts as to our business, financial and operating results, and future economic performance; and 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, the negative of these 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 our actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) legal and regulatory actions taken against us related to our services business, or against our university partners that impact their businesses and that directly or indirectly reduce the service revenue we can earn under our master services agreements; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of any of the key university partner agreements; (iii) our ability to properly manage risks and challenges associated with strategic initiatives, including potential acquisitions or divestitures of, or investments in, new businesses, acquisitions of new properties and new university partners, and expansion of services provided to our existing university partners; (iv) our ability to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to us either directly as a third-party service provider or indirectly through our university partners; (v) our ability to manage risks associated with epidemics, pandemics, or public health crises; (vi) our ability to manage risks resulting from system disruptions, interruptions, or outages associated with our technology platforms or those of third-party service providers; (vii) the ability of our university partners’ students to obtain federal Title IV funds, state financial aid, and private financing; (viii) 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; (ix) risks associated with changes in applicable federal and state laws and regulations and accrediting commission standards; (x) competition from other education service companies in our geographic region and market sector; (xi) our ability to hire and train new, and develop and train existing employees; (xii) the pace of growth of our university partners’ enrollment and its effect on the pace of our own growth; (xiii) fluctuations in our revenues due to seasonality; (xiv) our ability to, on behalf of our university partners, convert prospective students to enrolled students and to retain active students to graduation; and (xv) other risks and uncertainties identified from time to time in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by us, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed on February 18, 2026.

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.  This press release should be read in conjunction with the information included in our other press releases, reports and other filings with the SEC.  Understanding the information contained in these filings is important in order to fully understand GCE’s reported financial results and our business outlook for future periods.

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5

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

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Conference Call

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will discuss its fourth quarter 2025 results and full year 2026 outlook during a conference call scheduled for today, February 18, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (ET).

Live Conference Dial-In:

Those interested in participating in the question-and-answer session should follow the conference dial-in instructions below. Participants may register for the call here to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call seamlessly. Please dial in at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call.  Journalists are invited to listen only.

Webcast and Replay:

Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live webcast of this event at: Q4 2025 Grand Canyon Education Inc. Earnings Conference Call. A webcast replay will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call at the same link.

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About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (“GCE”), incorporated in 2008, is a publicly traded education services company that currently provides services to 20 university partners. GCE is uniquely positioned in the education services industry in that its leadership has over 30 years of proven expertise in providing a full array of support services in the post-secondary education sector and has developed significant technological solutions, infrastructure and operational processes to provide superior services in these areas on a large scale. GCE provides services that support students, faculty and staff of partner institutions such as marketing, strategic enrollment management, counseling services, financial services, technology, technical support, compliance, human resources, classroom operations, content development, faculty recruitment and training, among others. For more information about GCE visit the Company's website at www.gce.com.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc., 2600 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, www.gce.com.

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6

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

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GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Income Statements

(Unaudited)

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​

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Three Months Ended

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Year Ended

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December 31,

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December 31,

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2025

​ ​ ​

2024

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2025

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2024

(In thousands, except per share data)

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​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Service revenue

​

$

308,119

​

$

292,573

​

$

1,106,070

​

$

1,033,002

Costs and expenses:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Technology and academic services

​

45,354

​

43,004

​

175,060

​

165,085

Counseling services and support

​

88,400

​

85,327

​

342,650

​

323,484

Marketing and communication

​

53,692

​

49,646

​

229,204

​

212,420

General and administrative

​

10,490

​

10,568

​

47,416

​

46,298

Litigation settlement

​

​

—

​

​

—

​

​

35,000

​

​

—

Lease termination, impairment and other

​

—

​

1,897

​

2,411

​

1,897

Amortization of intangible assets

​

2,104

​

2,104

​

8,419

​

8,419

Total costs and expenses

​

200,040

​

192,546

​

840,160

​

757,603

Operating income

​

108,079

​

100,027

​

265,910

​

275,399

Investment interest and other

​

3,697

​

3,925

​

13,941

​

15,916

Income before income taxes

​

111,776

​

103,952

​

279,851

​

291,315

Income tax expense

​

25,044

​

22,073

​

63,681

​

65,081

Net income

​

$

86,732

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$

81,879

​

$

216,170

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$

226,234

Earnings per share:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Basic income per share

​

$

3.16

​

$

2.86

​

$

7.76

​

$

7.77

Diluted income per share

​

$

3.14

​

$

2.84

​

$

7.71

​

$

7.73

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

​

27,446

​

28,677

​

27,862

​

29,104

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

​

27,608

​

28,872

​

28,024

​

29,271

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7

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

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GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

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​	​	As of December 31,		​	As of December 31,
(In thousands, except par value)	​ ​ ​	2025		​ ​ ​	2024
ASSETS:	​	​	(Unaudited)	​	​	​
Current assets		​	​		​	​
Cash and cash equivalents	​	$	111,762	​	$	324,623
Investments	​		188,317	​		—
Accounts receivable, net	​		84,278	​		82,948
Income taxes receivable	​		2,392	​		490
Other current assets	​		13,430	​		11,915
Total current assets	​		400,179	​		419,976
Property and equipment, net	​		178,957	​		176,823
Right-of-use assets	​		96,571	​		99,541
Amortizable intangible assets, net	​		151,543	​		159,962
Goodwill	​		160,766	​		160,766
Other assets	​		4,289	​		1,357
Total assets	​	$	992,305	​	$	1,018,425
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:	​		​	​		​
Current liabilities	​		​	​		​
Accounts payable	​	$	24,347	​	$	26,721
Accrued compensation and benefits	​		35,199	​		33,183
Accrued liabilities	​		32,283	​		29,620
Income taxes payable	​		3,355	​		8,559
Deferred revenue	​		—	​		—
Current portion of lease liability	​		14,568	​		12,883
Total current liabilities	​		109,752	​		110,966
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent	​		41,426	​		26,527
Other long-term liabilities	​		1,439	​		1,444
Lease liability, less current portion	​	​	92,755	​	​	95,635
Total liabilities	​		245,372	​		234,572
Commitments and contingencies	​		​	​		​
Stockholders’ equity	​		​	​		​
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024	​		—	​		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 54,178 and 54,090 shares issued and 27,393 and 28,858 shares outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively	​		542	​		541
Treasury stock, at cost, 26,785 and 25,232 shares of common stock at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively	​		(2,291,610)	​		(2,024,370)
Additional paid-in capital	​		350,374	​		336,736
Accumulated other comprehensive gain	​		511	​		—
Retained earnings	​		2,687,116	​		2,470,946
Total stockholders’ equity	​		746,933	​		783,853
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	​	$	992,305	​	$	1,018,425

​

​

8

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

​

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Year Ended
​	​	December 31,
(In thousands)	​	2025		​	2024
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash flows provided by operating activities:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net income	​ ​ ​	$	216,170	​ ​ ​	$	226,234
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	​		​	​		​
Share-based compensation	​		13,639	​		14,225
Depreciation and amortization	​		31,483	​		28,135
Amortization of intangible assets	​	​	8,419	​	​	8,419
Deferred income taxes	​		14,739	​		(165)
Lease termination, impairment and other	​	​	2,411	​	​	—
Other, including fixed asset disposals	​		(154)	​		1,227
Changes in assets and liabilities:	​		​	​		​
Accounts receivable from university partners	​		(1,330)	​		(4,137)
Other assets	​		(4,192)	​		1,170
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities	​	​	671	​	​	1,799
Accounts payable	​		(3,451)	​		9,664
Accrued liabilities	​		2,192	​		4,252
Income taxes receivable/payable	​		(7,106)	​		(865)
Net cash provided by operating activities	​		273,491	​		289,958
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities:	​		​	​		​
Capital expenditures	​		(34,843)	​		(37,248)
Additions of amortizable content	​	​	(60)	​	​	(412)
Purchase of equity investment	​	​	(1,000)	​	​	—
Loss on equity investment	​	​	500	​	​	—
Purchases of investments	​		(241,723)	​		(48,594)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments	​		55,532	​		147,619
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	​		(221,594)	​		61,365
Cash flows used in financing activities:	​		​	​		​
Repurchase of common shares and shares withheld in lieu of income taxes	​		(264,758)	​		(173,175)
Net cash used in financing activities	​		(264,758)	​		(173,175)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	​		(212,861)	​		178,148
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	​		324,623	​		146,475
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	​	$	111,762	​	$	324,623
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	​		​	​		​
Cash paid for interest	​	$	—	​	$	4
Cash paid for income taxes	​	$	53,896	​	$	65,261
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities	​		​	​		​
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable	​	$	835	​	$	1,065
ROU Asset and Liability recognition	​	$	—	​	$	7,087
Excise tax on treasury stock repurchases	​	$	2,482	​	$	1,502

​

9

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

​

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

​

Adjusted EBITDA  (Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

Adjusted EBITDA 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) contributions to private Arizona school tuition organizations in lieu of the payment of state income taxes; (ii) share-based compensation; and (iii) unusual charges or gains, such as litigation and regulatory costs, impairment charges and asset write-offs, severance costs, and exit or lease termination costs. We present Adjusted EBITDA 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. 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.

​

10

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,

​

​ ​ ​

2025

​ ​ ​

2024

​ ​ ​

2025

​ ​ ​

2024

​

(Unaudited, in thousands)

​

​

(Unaudited, in thousands)

Net income

​

$

86,732

​

$

81,879

​

$

216,170

​

$

226,234

Less: investment interest and other

​

(3,697)

​

(3,925)

​

(13,941)

​

(15,916)

Plus: income tax expense

​

25,044

​

22,073

​

63,681

​

65,081

Plus: amortization of intangible assets

​

​

2,104

​

​

2,104

​

​

8,419

​

​

8,419

Plus: depreciation and amortization

​

8,160

​

7,428

​

31,483

​

28,135

EBITDA

​

118,343

​

109,559

​

305,812

​

311,953

Plus: contributions in lieu of state income taxes

​

—

​

—

​

5,000

​

4,500

Plus: share-based compensation

​

​

3,228

​

​

3,370

​

​

13,639

​

​

14,225

Plus: litigation and regulatory costs

​

​

1,266

​

​

1,715

​

​

40,486

​

​

6,203

Plus: lease termination, impairment and other

​

​

—

​

​

1,897

​

​

2,411

​

​

1,897

Plus: severance costs

​

​

—

​

​

—

​

​

299

​

​

1,133

Plus: loss on fixed asset disposal

​

471

​

31

​

941

​

102

Adjusted EBITDA

​

$

123,308

​

$

116,572

​

$

368,588

​

$

340,013

​

Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Diluted Income Per Share

The Company believes the presentation of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted income per share information that excludes amortization of intangible assets; the litigation settlement; lease termination costs, impairments and other costs; severance costs; and loss on disposal of fixed assets allows investors to develop a more meaningful understanding of the Company’s performance over time. Accordingly, for the three months and years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the table below provides reconciliations of these non-GAAP items to GAAP net income and GAAP diluted income per share, respectively:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Three Months Ended

​

​

Year Ended

​

​

December 31,

​

​

December 31,

​

​ ​ ​

2025

​

2024

​ ​ ​

2025

​

2024

​

(Unaudited, in thousands except per share data)

​

​

​

​

​

GAAP Net income

​

$

86,732

​

$

81,879

​

$

216,170

​

$

226,234

Plus: Amortization of intangible assets

​

2,104

​

2,104

​

8,419

​

8,419

Plus: Litigation settlement

​

​

—

​

​

—

​

​

35,000

​

​

—

Plus: Lease termination, impairment and other

​

​

—

​

​

1,897

​

​

2,411

​

​

1,897

Plus: Severance costs

​

—

​

—

​

299

​

1,133

Plus: Loss on disposal of fixed assets

​

​

471

​

​

31

​

​

941

​

​

102

Less: Income tax effects of adjustments (1)

​

(577)

​

(856)

​

(8,775)

​

(2,580)

As Adjusted, Non-GAAP Net income

​

$

88,730

​

$

85,055

​

$

254,465

​

$

235,205

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

GAAP Diluted income per share

​

$

3.14

​

$

2.84

​

$

7.71

​

$

7.73

Plus: Amortization of intangible assets (2)

​

​

0.06

​

​

0.06

​

​

0.23

​

​

0.22

Plus: Litigation settlement (3)

​

​

-

​

​

-

​

​

1.03

​

​

-

Plus: Lease termination, impairment and other (4)

​

​

-

​

​

0.05

​

​

0.07

​

​

0.05

Plus: Severance costs (5)

​

​

-

​

​

-

​

​

0.01

​

​

0.03

Plus: Loss on disposal of fixed assets (6)

​

​

0.01

​

​

0.00

​

​

0.03

​

​

0.00

As Adjusted, Non-GAAP Diluted income per share

​

$

3.21

​

$

2.95

​

$

9.08

​

$

8.04

(1) The income tax effects of adjustments are based on the effective income tax rate applicable to adjusted (non-GAAP) results. The tax effect for the reserve for litigation was 17.43% for the year ended December 31, 2025, due to non-deductible components.

(2) The amortization of acquired intangible assets per diluted share is net of an income tax benefit of $0.02 for both of the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and net of an income tax benefit of $0.07 and $0.06 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

11

(3) The litigation settlement per diluted share is net of an income tax benefit of $0.22 for the year ended December 31, 2025.

(4) The lease termination, impairment and other per diluted share is net of an income tax benefit of $0.01 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and net of an income tax benefit of $0.02 and $0.01 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

(5) The severance costs per diluted share is net of an income tax benefit of $0.00 and $0.01 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

(6) The loss on disposal of fixed assets per diluted share is net of an income tax benefit of nil for both of the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, and net of an income tax benefit of $0.01 and $0.00 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

12

FAQ

How did Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) perform in Q4 2025?

Grand Canyon Education reported higher Q4 2025 service revenue of $308,119 thousand, up from $292,573 thousand, and net income of $86,732 thousand, up from $81,879 thousand. Diluted EPS improved to $3.14 from $2.84, reflecting stronger quarterly profitability.

What were Grand Canyon Education’s full-year 2025 financial results?

For 2025, Grand Canyon Education generated service revenue of $1,106,070 thousand, up from $1,033,002 thousand. Net income was $216,170 thousand versus $226,234 thousand, while non-GAAP net income rose to $254,465 thousand and non-GAAP diluted EPS increased to $9.08 from $8.04.

How strong was Grand Canyon Education’s cash flow and liquidity in 2025?

Grand Canyon Education produced strong 2025 operating cash flow of $273,491 thousand. Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $300.1 million at December 31, 2025, down from $324.6 million, primarily because share repurchases and capital expenditures exceeded cash generated from operations.

What guidance did Grand Canyon Education provide for 2026 earnings?

For full-year 2026, Grand Canyon Education projected non-GAAP diluted income per share between $9.79 and $10.40. This guidance includes a $0.24 per-share impact from non-cash amortization of intangible assets, implying higher underlying profitability compared with 2025 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $9.08.

How did non-GAAP metrics compare to GAAP results for Grand Canyon Education?

Non-GAAP results outpaced GAAP metrics. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $368,588 thousand from $340,013 thousand, and non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $9.08 from $8.04. GAAP diluted EPS was $7.71, reflecting items like a $35,000 thousand litigation settlement and other adjustments.

What major non-recurring items affected Grand Canyon Education in 2025?

In 2025, results included a $35,000 thousand litigation settlement, lease termination, impairment and other costs of $2,411 thousand, severance costs of $299 thousand, and loss on fixed asset disposals of $941 thousand. These items were excluded in calculating non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted EPS.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 404.2 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 EX-101.SCH 2.8 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.LAB 15.0 KB
• EX-101 EX-101.PRE 10.1 KB