Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ: PRDO) today reported operating and financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

Full Year 2021 Results as Compared to Prior Year

• Revenue increased 0.8 percent to $693.0 million, with both CTU and the AIU System contributing to the growth.
• Operating income increased 4.3 percent to $149.0 million while adjusted operating income increased 10.4 percent to $175.5 million.*
• Earnings per diluted share was $1.55 as compared to $1.74 while adjusted earnings per diluted share was $1.70 as compared to $1.56.*
• Total student enrollments at December 31, 2021 decreased by 5.4 percent, with CTU experiencing a 0.4 percent increase that was offset by a 13.3 percent decrease within the AIU System. Total student enrollments at CTU were positively impacted by the academic calendar redesign.
• Ended the year with $499.4 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale-short-term investments.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Results as Compared to Prior Year Quarter

• Revenue decreased 6.6 percent to $159.9 million, primarily driven by a decrease in total student enrollments.
• Operating income decreased 4.5 percent to $34.6 million while adjusted operating income increased 1.7 percent to $42.0 million.*
• Earnings per diluted share was $0.35 as compared to $0.38 while adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.40 for both periods.*

*See GAAP (U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release

“We are pleased with our operating performance in 2021. Our business performed well despite recent student engagement issues which we believe relate to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Todd Nelson, Perdoceo’s Executive Chairman. “We are also pleased with the two acquisitions completed during 2021 which further broaden the academic offerings at our educational institutions.”

Andrew Hurst, recently named as Perdoceo’s President and Chief Executive Officer, added, “Our strong management team remains focused on student experiences, retention and academic outcomes while continuing to leverage data analytics and technology to benefit our institutions.”

REVENUE

• For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, revenue of $159.9 million decreased 6.6 percent compared to revenue of $171.2 million for the prior year quarter.

• For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue of $693.0 million increased 0.8 percent compared to revenue of $687.3 million for the prior year, with both CTU and AIUS contributing to growth.

TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENTS

• CTU’s total student enrollments increased 0.4 percent as of December 31, 2021, while AIUS’ total student enrollments decreased 13.3 percent. CTU’s total student enrollments were positively impacted by the academic calendar redesign.

OPERATING INCOME

• For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, operating income decreased by 4.5 percent to $34.6 million as compared to the prior year quarter.

• For the year ended December 31, 2021, operating income increased by 4.3 percent to $149.0 million as compared to the prior year.

ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

The Company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain significant and non-cash items, as a means to understand the performance of its operations. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

• For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, adjusted operating income of $42.0 million increased 1.7 percent compared to adjusted operating income of $41.3 million for the prior year quarter.

• For the year ended December 31, 2021, adjusted operating income of $175.5 million increased 10.4 percent compared to adjusted operating income of $159.0 million for the prior year.

NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded:

• Net income of $24.5 million compared to $27.1 million for the prior year quarter.
• Earnings per diluted share of $0.35 compared to $0.38 for the prior year quarter.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.40 compared to $0.40 for the prior year quarter. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded:

• Net income of $109.6 million compared to $124.3 million for the prior year.
• Earnings per diluted share of $1.55 compared to $1.74 for the prior year.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.70 compared to $1.56 for the prior year. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

• For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by operating activities was $46.9 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $42.2 million during the prior year quarter.
• For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by operating activities was $191.1 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $180.0 million during the prior year.
• At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale short-term investments totaled $499.4 million and $410.4 million, respectively.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

The Board of Directors of the Company approved a stock repurchase program commencing March 1, 2022 which authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The program expires September 30, 2023 and replaces the existing stock repurchase program that expires on February 28, 2022.

OUTLOOK

The Company is providing the following 2022 outlook, subject to the key assumptions identified below. Please see the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation for adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share attached to this press release for further details.

Operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted operating income, and earnings per diluted share may not follow the same trends stated in the outlook above because of adjustments made for certain significant and non-cash items. The operating income, adjusted operating income, earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share outlook provided above for 2022 are based on the following key assumptions and factors, among others: (i) prospective student interest in the Company’s programs remains consistent with recent experience, (ii) no significant impact of new or proposed regulations, including recent Department of Education negotiated rulemaking initiatives, or other adverse changes in the legal or regulatory environment, (iii) no significant operating impacts from the settlements with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general or other legal or regulatory matters, (iv) no significant future operating or financial impacts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, (v) earnings per diluted share outlook assumes an effective income tax rate of approximately 27.0% for the first quarter and 26.0% for the full year, and (vi) any future impact from the Company’s stock repurchase program is excluded. Although these estimates and assumptions are based upon management’s good faith beliefs regarding current and future circumstances and actions that may be undertaken, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. In addition, decisions the Company makes in the future as it continues to evaluate diverse strategies to enhance stockholder value may impact the outlook provided above.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Perdoceo Education Corporation will host a conference call on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2021 results and 2022 outlook. Interested parties can access the live webcast of the conference at www.perdoceoed.com in the Investor Relations section of the website. Participants can also listen to the conference call by dialing 1-844-200-6205 (domestic) or 1-929-526-1599 (international). Both dial-in numbers will use the access code 553619. Viewers can also access the conference call by following this link https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/364159545. Please log-in or dial-in at least 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure a connection. An archived version of the webcast will be accessible for 90 days following the call at www.perdoceoed.com in the Investor Relations section of the website.

ABOUT PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION

Perdoceo’s academic institutions offer a quality postsecondary education primarily online to a diverse student population, along with campus-based and blended learning programs. The Company’s accredited institutions – Colorado Technical University (“CTU”) and the American InterContinental University System (“AIUS” or “AIU System”) – provide degree programs from the associate through doctoral level as well as non-degree professional development and continuing education offerings. Perdoceo’s universities offer students industry-relevant and career-focused academic programs that are designed to meet the educational needs of today’s busy adults. CTU and AIUS continue to show innovation in higher education, advancing personalized learning technologies like their intellipath® learning platform and using data analytics and technology to support students and enhance learning. Perdoceo is committed to providing quality education that closes the gap between learners who seek to advance their careers and employers needing a qualified workforce. For more information, please visit www.perdoceoed.com.

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this release, including statements identified by words such as “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “continue,” “outlook,” “remain,” “focused on,” “should” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise such factors or any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments or changed circumstances, or for any other reason. These risks and uncertainties, the outcomes of which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations, include, but are not limited to, the following: declines in enrollment or interest in our programs; our continued compliance with and eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (including the 90-10, financial responsibility and administrative capability standards prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education), as well as applicable accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements; the impact of various versions of “borrower defense to repayment” regulations; rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Education or any state or accreditor and increased focus by Congress and governmental agencies on, or increased negative publicity about, for-profit education institutions; the success of our initiatives to improve student experiences, retention and academic outcomes; our continued eligibility to participate in educational assistance programs for veterans or other military personnel; increased competition; the impact of management changes; and changes in the overall U.S. economy which may continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.