PHOENIX, Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE), a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers over 220 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across nine colleges both online and on ground at its over 270 acre campus in Phoenix, Arizona, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017:


    --  Net revenue increased 12.2% to $236.2 million for the third quarter of
        2017, compared to $210.4 million for the third quarter of 2016.
    --  End-of-period enrollment increased 10.7% to 91,230 at September 30,
        2017, from 82,422 at September 30, 2016, as ground enrollment increased
        9.5% to 19,042 at September 30, 2017, from 17,384 at September 30, 2016
        and online enrollment increased 11.0% to 72,188 at September 30, 2017,
        from 65,038 at September 30, 2016.
    --  Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $59.7
        million, an increase of 26.8% as compared to $47.1 million for the same
        period in 2016. The operating margin for the three months ended
        September 30, 2017 was 25.3%, compared to 22.4% for the same period in
        2016. Operating income and operating margin for the three months ended
        September 30, 2017, excluding contributions in lieu of state income
        taxes of $2.0 million, was $61.7 million and 26.1%, respectively.
        Operating income and operating margin for the three months ended
        September 30, 2016, excluding contributions in lieu of state income
        taxes of $4.0 million and lease termination costs of $3.4 million, was
        $54.4 million and 25.9%, respectively.
    --  The tax rate in the three months ended September 30, 2017 was 35.1%
        compared to 34.2% in the same period in 2016. The effective tax rates
        for both quarters were lower than our annual effective tax rates due to
        the contributions made in lieu of state income taxes to school
        sponsoring organizations. Our contributions decreased from $4.0 million
        in the third quarter of 2016 to $2.0 million for the third quarter of
        2017. The decrease in contributions over the prior year was partially
        offset by our adoption of the share-based compensation standard, which
        resulted in the recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based
        compensation awards that vested or settled in 2017 in the consolidated
        income statement. The inclusion of excess tax benefits and deficiencies
        as a component of our income tax expense will increase volatility within
        our provision for income taxes as the amount of excess tax benefits or
        deficiencies from share-based compensation awards are dependent on our
        stock price at the date the restricted awards vest, our stock price on
        the date an option is exercised, and the quantity of options exercised.
    --  Net income increased 34.4% to $39.3 million for the third quarter of
        2017, compared to $29.2 million for the same period in 2016.
    --  Diluted net income per share was $0.81 for the third quarter of 2017,
        compared to $0.62 for the same period in 2016.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.1% to $81.0 million for the third quarter
        of 2017, compared to $69.2 million for the same period in 2016.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017:


    --  Net revenue increased 11.8% to $702.7 million for the nine months ended
        September 30, 2017, compared to $628.7 million for the same period in
        2016.
    --  Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $191.4
        million, an increase of 19.3% as compared to $160.5 million for the same
        period in 2016. The operating margin for the nine months ended September
        30, 2017 was 27.2%, compared to 25.5% for the same period in 2016.
        Operating income and operating margin for the nine months ended
        September 30, 2017, excluding contributions in lieu of state income
        taxes of $2.0 million, was $193.4 million and 27.5%, respectively.
        Operating income and operating margin for the nine months ended
        September 30, 2016, excluding contributions in lieu of state income
        taxes of $4.0 million and lease termination costs of $3.4 million, was
        $167.9 million and 26.7%, respectively.
    --  The tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 29.6%
        compared to 37.1% in the same period in 2016. The lower effective tax
        rate year over year is due to our adoption of the share-based
        compensation standard, which resulted in the recognition of excess tax
        benefits from share-based compensation awards that vested or settled in
        2017 in the consolidated income statement. The inclusion of excess tax
        benefits and deficiencies as a component of our income tax expense will
        increase volatility within our provision for income taxes as the amount
        of excess tax benefits or deficiencies from share-based compensation
        awards are dependent on our stock price at the date the restricted
        awards vest, our stock price on the date an option is exercised, and the
        quantity of options exercised. Our restricted stock vests in March each
        year so the favorable benefit is greatest in the first quarter each
        year. The decrease in the effective tax rate from excess tax benefits
        was partially offset by a lower contribution in lieu of state income
        taxes to school sponsoring organizations in the nine months ended
        September 30, 2017 of $2.0 million as compared to the $4.0 million
        contribution made in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The tax
        rate would have been 37.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,
        excluding the impact of the recognition of excess tax benefits from
        share-based compensation awards that vested or settled in 2017.
    --  Net income increased 34.3% to $135.1 million for the nine months ended
        September 30, 2017, compared to $100.5 million for the same period in
        2016.
    --  Diluted net income per share was $2.80 for the nine months ended
        September 30, 2017, compared to $2.14 for the same period in 2016.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.7% to $246.1 million for the nine months
        ended September 30, 2017, compared to $210.9 million for the same period
        in 2016.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The University financed its operating activities and capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 primarily through cash provided by operating activities. Our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investments were $269.8 million and $108.6 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Our restricted cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $75.6 million and $84.9 million, respectively. In December 2012, we entered into a new credit agreement, which increased our term loan to $100 million with a maturity date of December 2019. Additionally, this facility, as amended in January 2016, provides a revolving line of credit in the amount of $150 million through December 2017 to be utilized for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. Indebtedness under the credit facility is secured by our assets and is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. No amounts were drawn on the revolver as of September 30, 2017.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $269.9 million as compared to $213.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in cash generated from operating activities between the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is primarily due to increased net income and non-cash charges such as depreciation expense as well as changes in other working capital such as accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue.

Net cash used in investing activities was $112.1 million and $163.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our cash used in investing activities was primarily related to the purchase of short-term investments and capital expenditures. Purchases of short-term investments, net of proceeds of these investments, was $27.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Proceeds from investment, net of purchases of short term investments, was $33.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Capital expenditures were $75.6 million and $157.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the nine-month period for 2017, capital expenditures primarily consisted of the construction of an additional dormitory, other ground campus building projects and land acquisitions adjacent to our campus to support our growing traditional student enrollment, as well as purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. Included in off-site development for 2017 is $10.2 million we spent to finish the building and parking garage in close proximity to our ground traditional campus. Employees that work in two leased office buildings in the Phoenix area were relocated to this new building by the end of 2016. During the nine-month period for 2016, capital expenditures primarily consisted of ground campus building projects that started in late 2015 such as three more apartment style residence halls, a 170,000 square foot classroom building for our College of Science, Engineering and Technology, a student service center, and a fourth parking structure, as well as land purchases adjacent to or near our Phoenix campus, and purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. Included in off-site development during 2016 is $41.9 million related to the off-site office building and parking garage. In addition, during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, we received a $0.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively, distribution related to our ownership interest in LoudCloud upon its sale to a third party.

Net cash used in financing activities was $33.0 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the nine-month period for 2017, $25.0 million was used to repay the revolving line of credit, $9.7 million was used to purchase common shares withheld in lieu of income taxes resulting from restricted share awards and principal payments on notes payable and capital leases totaled $5.1 million, which amounts were partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $6.8 million. During the nine-month period for 2016, $20.0 million was used to purchase common shares withheld in lieu of income taxes resulting from restricted share awards and principal payments on notes payable and capital leases totaled $5.5 million and debt issuance costs for the increase in our revolving line of credit totaled $0.2 million, which amounts were partially offset by proceeds of $12.0 million from net borrowings from the revolving line of credit and $10.0 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Outlook



    Q4 2017:               Net revenue of $267.9
                           million; Target Operating
                           Margin 31.7%; Diluted EPS
                           of $1.09 using 48.7
                           million diluted shares;
                           student counts of 89,400


    Full Year 2017:        Net revenue of $970.6
                           million; Target Operating
                           Margin 28.5%; Diluted EPS
                           of $3.89 using 48.3
                           million diluted shares

Forward-Looking Statements

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

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

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

Conference Call

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will discuss its third quarter 2017 results and fourth quarter and full year 2017 outlook during a conference call scheduled for today, November 1, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (ET). To participate in the live call, investors should dial 877-577-1769 (domestic and Canada) or 706-679-7806 (international), passcode 89694763 at 4:25 p.m. (ET). The Webcast will be available on the Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Web site at www.gcu.edu.

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call, at 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international), passcode 89694763. It will also be archived at www.gcu.edu in the investor relations section for 60 days.

About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers over 220 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across nine colleges both online and on ground at our over 270 acre campus in Phoenix, Arizona, at leased facilities and at facilities owned by third party employers of our students. We are committed to providing an academically rigorous educational experience with a focus on professionally relevant programs that meet the objectives of our students. Our undergraduate programs are designed to be innovative and meet the future needs of employers while providing students with the needed critical thinking and effective communication skills developed through a Christian-oriented, liberal arts foundation. We offer master and doctoral degrees in contemporary fields that are designed to provide students with the capacity for transformational leadership in their chosen industry, emphasizing the immediate relevance of theory, application, and evaluation to promote personal and organizational change. Approximately 91,200 students were enrolled as of September 30, 2017. For more information about Grand Canyon Education, Inc., please visit http://www.gcu.edu.

____________

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



                                 GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

                                Consolidated Income Statements

                                          (Unaudited)


                                                       Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended

                                                              September 30,             September 30,
                                                        -------------          -------------

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

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

    Net
     revenue                                          $236,209        $210,444   $702,716        $628,681

    Costs and expenses:

     Instructional
     costs and
     services                                          104,303          91,748    301,907         271,001

    Admissions
     advisory
     and
     related                                            31,426          28,814     94,483          87,224

    Advertising                                         25,523          23,896     74,930          67,152

    Marketing
     and
     promotional                                         2,350           2,127      7,074           6,477

    General
     and
     administrative                                     12,915          13,430     32,914          32,959

    Lease
     termination
     costs                                                   -          3,363          -          3,363
                                                           ---          -----        ---          -----

    Total
     costs and
     expenses                                          176,517         163,378    511,308         468,176
                                                       -------         -------    -------         -------

    Operating
     income                                             59,692          47,066    191,408         160,505

    Interest
     expense                                             (567)          (344)   (1,642)          (831)

    Interest
     and other
     income                                              1,445         (2,291)     2,186              50
                                                         -----          ------      -----             ---

    Income
     before
     income
     taxes                                              60,570          44,431    191,952         159,724

    Income tax
     expense                                            21,266          15,187     56,889          59,189
                                                        ------          ------     ------          ------

    Net income                                         $39,304         $29,244   $135,063        $100,535
                                                       =======         =======   ========        ========

    Earnings per share:

    Basic
     income
     per share                                           $0.83           $0.63      $2.87           $2.19
                                                         =====           =====      =====           =====

    Diluted
     income
     per share                                           $0.81           $0.62      $2.80           $2.14
                                                         =====           =====      =====           =====

    Basic
     weighted
     average
     shares
     outstanding                                        47,316          46,231     47,083          45,953
                                                        ======          ======     ======          ======

    Diluted
     weighted
     average
     shares
     outstanding                                        48,292          47,175     48,197          47,009
                                                        ======          ======     ======          ======

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Adjusted EBITDA

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

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

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


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

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

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



                   Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended

                           September 30,                  September 30,
                      -------------                  -------------

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

                              (Unaudited, in thousands)

    Net income     $39,304         $29,244        $135,063        $100,535

    Plus: interest
     expense           567             344           1,642             831

    Less: interest
     income and
     other         (1,445)          2,291         (2,186)           (50)

    Plus: income
     tax expense    21,266          15,187          56,889          59,189

    Plus:
     depreciation
     and
     amortization   13,537          11,425          40,245          32,522
                    ------          ------          ------          ------

    EBITDA          73,229          58,491         231,653         193,027
                    ------          ------         -------         -------

    Plus: royalty
     to former
     owner              74              74             222             222

    Plus: asset
     impairment
     and other
     fixed asset
     write-offs      2,364              99           2,578             166

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

    Plus: costs
     related to
     proposed
     conversion
     back to a
     non-profit
     status              -              -              -          1,136

    Plus:
     estimated
     litigation
     and
     regulatory
     reserves           21               -             31               -

    Plus: lease
     termination
     costs               -          3,363               -          3,363

    Plus: share-
     based
     compensation    3,332           3,203           9,562           9,034
                     -----           -----           -----           -----

    Adjusted
     EBITDA        $81,045         $69,230        $246,071        $210,948
                   =======         =======        ========        ========


                                        GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

                                         Consolidated Balance Sheets


                      ASSETS:           September 30,                         December 31,

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

    Current assets                                   (Unaudited)

    Cash and cash equivalents                                        $180,142                 $45,976

    Restricted cash and cash
     equivalents                                                       75,604                  84,931

    Investments                                                        89,609                  62,596

    Accounts receivable, net                                           12,243                   9,999

    Income tax receivable                                               4,546                   4,686

    Other current assets                                               24,702                  21,880
                                                                       ------                  ------

    Total current assets                                              386,846                 230,068

    Property and equipment, net                                       897,540                 855,528

    Prepaid royalties                                                   2,837                   3,059

    Goodwill                                                            2,941                   2,941

    Other assets                                                          766                     897
                                                                          ---                     ---

    Total assets                                                   $1,290,930              $1,092,493
                                                                   ==========              ==========

                                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

    Current liabilities

    Accounts payable                                                  $27,523                 $24,824

    Accrued compensation and
     benefits                                                          24,377                  19,697

    Accrued liabilities                                                23,184                  21,283

    Income taxes payable                                               10,750                   2,734

    Student deposits                                                   76,111                  85,881

    Deferred revenue                                                  116,438                  40,739

    Current portion of notes
     payable                                                            6,680                  31,636
                                                                        -----                  ------

    Total current liabilities                                         285,063                 226,794

    Other noncurrent liabilities                                        1,341                   1,689

    Deferred income taxes,
     noncurrent                                                        27,209                  23,708

    Notes payable, less current
     portion                                                           61,596                  66,616
                                                                       ------                  ------

    Total liabilities                                                 375,209                 318,807
                                                                      -------                 -------

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity

    Preferred stock, $0.01 par
     value, 10,000 shares
     authorized; 0 shares issued
     and outstanding at
     September 30, 2017 and
     December 31, 2016                                                      -                      -

    Common stock, $0.01 par
     value, 100,000 shares
     authorized; 52,238 and
     51,509 shares issued and
     48,120 and 47,559 shares
     outstanding at September
     30, 2017 and December 31,
     2016, respectively                                                   522                     515

    Treasury stock, at cost,
     4,118 and 3,950 shares of
     common stock at September
     30, 2017 and December 31,
     2016, respectively                                              (99,051)               (89,394)

    Additional paid-in capital                                        228,928                 212,559

    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                                                 (598)                  (910)

    Retained earnings                                                 785,920                 650,916
                                                                      -------                 -------

    Total stockholders' equity                                        915,721                 773,686
                                                                      -------                 -------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                                          $1,290,930              $1,092,493
                                                                   ==========              ==========


                           GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                   Nine Months Ended

                                                                     September 30,
                                                                     -------------

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


    Cash flows provided by operating activities:

    Net income                                                     $135,063       $100,535

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

    Share-based compensation                                          9,562          9,034

    Provision for bad debts                                          13,351         12,812

    Depreciation and amortization                                    40,467         32,744

    Deferred income taxes                                             3,813          2,132

    Other                                                             1,751            917

    Changes in assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable                                            (15,595)      (14,876)

    Prepaid expenses and other                                      (3,016)       (2,173)

    Accounts payable                                                  4,007        (3,756)

    Accrued liabilities and employee
     related liabilities                                              6,710         11,127

    Income taxes receivable/payable                                   8,156          5,315

    Deferred rent                                                     (271)         (790)

    Deferred revenue                                                 75,699         66,818

    Student deposits                                                (9,770)       (6,574)
                                                                     ------         ------

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                                     269,927        213,265
                                                                    -------        -------

    Cash flows used in investing activities:

    Capital expenditures                                           (75,604)     (157,584)

    Purchases of land, building and golf
     course improvements related to off-
     site development                                              (10,152)      (41,876)

    Proceeds received from note
     receivable                                                           -           501

    Return of equity method investment                                  685          1,749

    Purchases of investments                                       (76,630)      (32,097)

    Proceeds from sale or maturity of
     investments                                                     49,617         65,807
                                                                     ------         ------

    Net cash used in investing activities                         (112,084)     (163,500)
                                                                   --------       --------

    Cash flows used in financing activities:

    Principal payments on notes payable
     and capital lease obligations                                  (5,102)       (5,527)

    Debt issuance costs                                                   -         (194)

    Net borrowings from revolving line of
     credit                                                        (25,000)        12,000

    Repurchase of common shares including
     shares withheld in lieu of income
     taxes                                                          (9,657)      (20,009)

    Net proceeds from exercise of stock
     options                                                          6,755         10,016
                                                                      -----         ------

    Net cash used in financing activities                          (33,004)       (3,714)
                                                                    -------         ------

    Net increase in cash and cash
     equivalents and restricted cash                                124,839         46,051

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

    Cash and cash equivalents and
     restricted cash, end of period                                $255,746       $144,471
                                                                   ========       ========

    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    Cash paid for interest                                           $1,633           $791

    Cash paid for income taxes                                      $45,413        $50,826

    Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing
     activities

    Purchases of property and equipment
     included in accounts payable                                    $6,437        $10,735

    Tax benefit of Spirit warrant
     intangible                                                 $         -          $190

    Shortfall tax expense from share-
     based compensation                                         $         -          $264

The following is a summary of our student enrollment at September 30, 2017 and 2016 by degree type and by instructional delivery method:


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

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

    Graduate degrees(2)                        38,059              41.7%               33,337              40.4%

    Undergraduate degree                       53,171              58.3%               49,085              59.6%
                                               ------               ----                ------               ----

    Total                                      91,230             100.0%               82,422             100.0%
                                               ======              =====                ======              =====


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

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

    Online(3)                                  72,188              79.1%               65,038              78.9%

    Ground(4)                                  19,042              20.9%               17,384              21.1%
                                               ------               ----                ------               ----

    Total                                      91,230             100.0%               82,422             100.0%
                                               ======              =====                ======              =====



            (1)    Enrollment at September 30, 2017
                    and 2016 represents individual
                    students who attended a course
                    during the last two months of
                    the calendar quarter.  Included
                    in enrollment at September 30,
                    2017 and 2016 are students
                    pursuing non-degree
                    certificates of 1,063 and 932,
                    respectively.

            (2)    Includes 7,781 and 7,213 students
                    pursuing doctoral degrees at
                    September 30, 2017 and 2016,
                    respectively.

            (3)    As of September 30, 2017 and
                    2016, 50.8% and 49.3%,
                    respectively, of our working
                    adult students (online and
                    professional studies students)
                    were pursuing graduate degrees.

            (4)    Includes both our traditional on-
                    campus ground students and our
                    professional studies students.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grand-canyon-education-inc-reports-third-quarter-2017-results-300547674.html

SOURCE Grand Canyon Education, Inc.