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​

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

​

​

FORM 10-Q

​

​

(Mark One)

☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
​ | ​
​ | For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

​

or

​

​ | ​
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
​ | ​
​ | For the transition period from to

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Commission File Number: 001-34211

​

​

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

​

​

​ | ​ | ​
Delaware |  | 20-3356009
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) | ​ | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

​

2600 W. Camelback Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85017

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

​

(602) 247-4400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

​

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

​

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

​

​

​ ​​ ​​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ◻

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ◻

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

​

​ | ​ | ​
Large Accelerated Filer ☒ |  | Accelerated Filer ☐
Non-accelerated Filer ☐ | ​ | Smaller Reporting Company ☐
​ | ​ | 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. ☐

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

​

The total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 2, 2021, was 40,073,608.

​

​

​

​

Table of Contents

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GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

​ | ​
​ | Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 3
​ | ​
Item 1 Financial Statements | 3
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 22
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 34
Item 4 Controls and Procedures | 34
​ | ​
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION | 35
​ | ​
Item 1 Legal Proceedings | 35
Item 1A Risk Factors | 35
Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 35
Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 36
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures | 36
Item 5 Other Information | 36
Item 6 Exhibits | 37
SIGNATURES | 38
​ | ​
​ | ​
​ | ​
​ | ​
​ | ​
​ | ​

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​

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2

Table of Contents

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Income Statements

(Unaudited)

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Three Months Ended | ​ | Nine Months Ended
​ | ​ | September 30, | ​ | September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data) |  | 2021 |  | 2020 |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Service revenue | ​ | $ | 206,767 | ​ | $ | 198,384 | ​ | $ | 645,188 | ​ | $ | 605,807
Costs and expenses: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Technology and academic services | ​ |  | 35,536 | ​ |  | 30,751 | ​ |  | 101,263 | ​ |  | 84,179
Counseling services and support | ​ |  | 62,209 | ​ |  | 58,214 | ​ |  | 184,380 | ​ |  | 176,029
Marketing and communication | ​ |  | 47,150 | ​ |  | 42,244 | ​ |  | 140,326 | ​ |  | 126,042
General and administrative | ​ |  | 14,451 | ​ |  | 14,031 | ​ |  | 33,114 | ​ |  | 33,097
Amortization of intangible assets | ​ |  | 2,105 | ​ |  | 2,105 | ​ |  | 6,315 | ​ |  | 6,315
Total costs and expenses | ​ |  | 161,451 | ​ |  | 147,345 | ​ |  | 465,398 | ​ |  | 425,662
Operating income | ​ |  | 45,316 | ​ |  | 51,039 | ​ |  | 179,790 | ​ |  | 180,145
Interest income on Secured Note | ​ |  | 15,031 | ​ |  | 14,885 | ​ |  | 44,353 | ​ |  | 44,318
Interest expense | ​ |  | (741) | ​ |  | (918) | ​ |  | (2,303) | ​ |  | (3,537)
Investment interest and other | ​ |  | 218 | ​ |  | 181 | ​ |  | 577 | ​ |  | 793
Income before income taxes | ​ |  | 59,824 | ​ |  | 65,187 | ​ |  | 222,417 | ​ |  | 221,719
Income tax expense | ​ |  | 12,166 | ​ |  | 13,141 | ​ |  | 47,186 | ​ |  | 51,278
Net income | ​ | $ | 47,658 | ​ | $ | 52,046 | ​ | $ | 175,231 | ​ | $ | 170,441
Earnings per share: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Basic income per share | ​ | $ | 1.08 | ​ | $ | 1.11 | ​ | $ | 3.87 | ​ | $ | 3.62
Diluted income per share | ​ | $ | 1.08 | ​ | $ | 1.11 | ​ | $ | 3.86 | ​ | $ | 3.60
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | ​ |  | 44,212 | ​ |  | 46,808 | ​ |  | 45,272 | ​ |  | 47,051
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | ​ |  | 44,298 | ​ |  | 47,095 | ​ |  | 45,404 | ​ |  | 47,336

​

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

​

​

3

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GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | September 30, |  | December 31,
(In thousands, except par value) |  | 2021 | ​ | 2020
​ | ​ | (Unaudited) | ​ | ​ | ​
ASSETS: | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
Current assets | ​ | ​ | ​ |  | ​ |
Cash and cash equivalents | ​ | $ | 61,002 | ​ | $ | 245,769
Investments | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | 10,840
Accounts receivable, net | ​ |  | 95,165 | ​ |  | 62,189
Interest receivable on Secured Note | ​ |  | 4,850 | ​ |  | 5,011
Income tax receivable | ​ |  | 1,745 | ​ |  | 1,294
Other current assets | ​ |  | 10,635 | ​ |  | 8,639
Total current assets | ​ |  | 173,397 | ​ |  | 333,742
Property and equipment, net | ​ |  | 134,508 | ​ |  | 128,657
Right-of-use assets | ​ | ​ | 57,245 | ​ | ​ | 61,020
Secured Note receivable, net | ​ |  | 964,912 | ​ |  | 964,912
Amortizable intangible assets, net | ​ | ​ | 187,323 | ​ | ​ | 193,638
Goodwill | ​ |  | 160,766 | ​ |  | 160,766
Other assets | ​ |  | 2,310 | ​ |  | 1,844
Total assets | ​ | $ | 1,680,461 | ​ | $ | 1,844,579
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Current liabilities | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Accounts payable | ​ | $ | 40,667 | ​ | $ | 16,583
Accrued compensation and benefits | ​ |  | 42,980 | ​ |  | 34,248
Accrued liabilities | ​ |  | 26,531 | ​ |  | 21,945
Income taxes payable | ​ |  | 50 | ​ |  | 5,405
Deferred revenue | ​ |  | 3,204 | ​ |  | —
Current portion of lease liability | ​ | ​ | 7,495 | ​ | ​ | 7,393
Current portion of notes payable | ​ |  | 82,915 | ​ |  | 33,144
Total current liabilities | ​ |  | 203,842 | ​ |  | 118,718
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent | ​ |  | 22,621 | ​ |  | 20,288
Other long term liability | ​ | ​ | 43 | ​ | ​ | 3
Lease liability, less current portion | ​ | ​ | 53,179 | ​ | ​ | 56,611
Notes payable, less current portion | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | 74,630
Total liabilities | ​ |  | 279,685 | ​ |  | 270,250
Commitments and contingencies | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Stockholders’ equity | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | —
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 53,637 and 53,277 shares issued and 43,054 and 46,649 shares outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | ​ |  | 536 | ​ |  | 533
Treasury stock, at cost, 10,583 and 6,628 shares of common stock at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | ​ |  | (663,558) | ​ |  | (303,379)
Additional paid-in capital | ​ |  | 293,859 | ​ |  | 282,467
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | —
Retained earnings | ​ |  | 1,769,939 | ​ |  | 1,594,708
Total stockholders’ equity | ​ |  | 1,400,776 | ​ |  | 1,574,329
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ​ | $ | 1,680,461 | ​ | $ | 1,844,579

​

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

​

4

Table of Contents

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​

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Accumulated | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Additional | ​ | Other | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Common Stock | ​ | Treasury Stock | ​ | Paid-in | ​ | Comprehensive | ​ | Retained | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  | Shares |  | Par Value |  | Shares |  | Cost |  | Capital |  | Loss |  | Earnings |  | Total
Balance at December 31, 2020 |  | 53,277 | ​ | $ | 533 |  | 6,628 | ​ | $ | (303,379) | ​ | $ | 282,467 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 1,594,708 | ​ | $ | 1,574,329
Comprehensive income | ​ | — | ​ |  | — |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | (120) | ​ |  | 78,112 | ​ |  | 77,992
Common stock purchased for treasury | ​ | — | ​ |  | — |  | 567 | ​ |  | (56,348) | ​ |  | (7,000) | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | (63,348)
Share-based compensation | ​ | 180 | ​ |  | 1 |  | 56 | ​ |  | (5,994) | ​ |  | 3,018 | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | (2,975)
Exercise of stock options | ​ | 176 | ​ | ​ | 2 | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,678 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,680
Balance at March 31, 2021 | ​ | 53,633 | ​ | $ | 536 | ​ | 7,251 | ​ | $ | (365,721) | ​ | $ | 281,163 | ​ | $ | (120) | ​ | $ | 1,672,820 | ​ | $ | 1,588,678
Comprehensive income | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | (65) | ​ | ​ | 49,461 | ​ | ​ | 49,396
Common stock purchased for treasury | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 982 | ​ | ​ | (95,331) | ​ | ​ | (3,000) | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | (98,331)
Restricted shares forfeited | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 8 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Share-based compensation | ​ | 4 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,940 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,940
Balance at June 30, 2021 | ​ | 53,637 | ​ | $ | 536 | ​ | 8,241 | ​ | $ | (461,052) | ​ | $ | 281,103 | ​ | $ | (185) | ​ | $ | 1,722,281 | ​ | $ | 1,542,683
Comprehensive income | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 185 | ​ | ​ | 47,658 | ​ | ​ | 47,843
Common stock purchased for treasury | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 2,324 | ​ | ​ | (202,506) | ​ | ​ | 10,000 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | (192,506)
Restricted shares forfeited | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 18 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Share-based compensation | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,756 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,756
Balance at September 30, 2021 | ​ | 53,637 | ​ | $ | 536 |  | 10,583 | ​ | $ | (663,558) | ​ | $ | 293,859 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 1,769,939 | ​ | $ | 1,400,776

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​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Accumulated | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Additional | ​ | Other | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Common Stock | ​ | Treasury Stock | ​ | Paid-in | ​ | Comprehensive | ​ | Retained | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  | Shares |  | Par Value |  | Shares |  | Cost |  | Capital |  | Loss |  | Earnings |  | Total
Balance at December 31, 2019 | ​ | 53,054 | ​ | $ | 531 |  | 4,949 | ​ | $ | (169,365) | ​ | $ | 270,923 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 1,341,344 | ​ | $ | 1,443,433
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes of $1,168 | ​ | — | ​ |  | — |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | (3,832) | ​ |  | (3,832)
Comprehensive income | ​ | — | ​ |  | — |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | 71,385 | ​ |  | 71,385
Common stock purchased for treasury | ​ | — | ​ |  | — |  | 787 | ​ |  | (60,737) | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | (60,737)
Restricted shares forfeited | ​ | — | ​ |  | — |  | 10 | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | —
Share-based compensation | ​ | 164 | ​ |  | 1 |  | 62 | ​ |  | (4,969) | ​ |  | 2,655 | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | (2,313)
Exercise of stock options | ​ | 3 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 72 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 72
Balance at March 31, 2020 | ​ | 53,221 | ​ | $ | 532 | ​ | 5,808 | ​ | $ | (235,071) | ​ | $ | 273,650 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 1,408,897 | ​ | $ | 1,448,008
Comprehensive income | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 47,010 | ​ | ​ | 47,010
Common stock purchased for treasury | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 111 | ​ | ​ | (8,311) | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | (8,311)
Share-based compensation | ​ | 3 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,678 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,678
Exercise of stock options | ​ | 1 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2
Balance at June 30, 2020 | ​ | 53,225 | ​ | $ | 532 | ​ | 5,919 | ​ | $ | (243,382) | ​ | $ | 276,330 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 1,455,907 | ​ | $ | 1,489,387
Comprehensive income | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 52,046 | ​ | ​ | 52,046
Common stock purchased for treasury | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 266 | ​ | ​ | (23,267) | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | (23,267)
Restricted shares forfeited | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | 1 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | —
Share-based compensation | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,713 | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | — | ​ | ​ | 2,713
Exercise of stock options | ​ | 6 | ​ |  | — |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | 104 | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | — | ​ |  | 104
Balance at September 30, 2020 | ​ | 53,231 | ​ | $ | 532 |  | 6,186 | ​ | $ | (266,649) | ​ | $ | 279,147 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 1,507,953 | ​ | $ | 1,520,983

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Nine Months Ended
​ |  | September 30,
(In thousands) | ​ | 2021 |  | 2020
Cash flows provided by operating activities: | ​ | ​ |  |  | ​ |
Net income | ​ | $ | 175,231 | ​ | $ | 170,441
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Share-based compensation | ​ |  | 8,715 | ​ |  | 8,047
Depreciation and amortization | ​ |  | 16,401 | ​ |  | 15,839
Amortization of intangible assets | ​ | ​ | 6,315 | ​ | ​ | 6,315
Deferred income taxes | ​ |  | 2,333 | ​ |  | 2,136
Other, including fixed asset impairments | ​ |  | 478 | ​ |  | 344
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Accounts receivable and interest receivable from university partners | ​ |  | (32,815) | ​ |  | (40,112)
Other assets | ​ |  | (2,451) | ​ |  | (6,021)
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities | ​ | ​ | 445 | ​ | ​ | 1,667
Accounts payable | ​ |  | 23,487 | ​ |  | (50)
Accrued liabilities | ​ |  | 13,358 | ​ |  | 19,627
Income taxes receivable/payable | ​ |  | (5,806) | ​ |  | (8,370)
Deferred revenue | ​ |  | 3,204 | ​ |  | 10,220
Net cash provided by operating activities | ​ |  | 208,895 | ​ |  | 180,083
Cash flows used in investing activities: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Capital expenditures | ​ |  | (21,352) | ​ |  | (22,156)
Additions of amortizable content | ​ |  | (409) | ​ |  | (238)
Funding to GCU | ​ |  | (190,000) | ​ |  | (75,000)
Repayment by GCU | ​ | ​ | 190,000 | ​ | ​ | 75,000
Purchases of investments | ​ |  | (56,335) | ​ |  | —
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments | ​ |  | 66,792 | ​ |  | 8,653
Net cash used in investing activities | ​ |  | (11,304) | ​ |  | (13,741)
Cash flows used in financing activities: | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Principal payments on notes payable | ​ |  | (24,859) | ​ |  | (24,858)
Repurchase of common shares including shares withheld in lieu of income taxes | ​ |  | (360,179) | ​ |  | (97,284)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options | ​ |  | 2,680 | ​ |  | 178
Net cash used in financing activities | ​ |  | (382,358) | ​ |  | (121,964)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | ​ |  | (184,767) | ​ |  | 44,378
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | ​ |  | 245,769 | ​ |  | 122,572
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | ​ | $ | 61,002 | ​ | $ | 166,950
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Cash paid for interest | ​ | $ | 2,399 | ​ | $ | 3,536
Cash paid for income taxes | ​ | $ | 48,408 | ​ | $ | 54,114
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities | ​ |  |  | ​ |  |
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable | ​ | $ | 1,802 | ​ | $ | 1,022
Allowance for credit losses of $5,000, net of taxes of $1,168 from adoption of ASU 2016-13 | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 3,832
ROU Asset and Liability recognition | ​ | $ | 3,775 | ​ | $ | 31,173

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

1. Nature of Business

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “GCE”) is a publicly traded education services company dedicated to serving colleges and universities. GCE has developed significant technological solutions, infrastructure and operational processes to provide services to these institutions on a large scale. GCE’s most significant university partner is Grand Canyon University (“GCU”), an Arizona non-profit corporation, a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs, emphases and certificates across nine colleges both online, on ground at its campus in Phoenix, Arizona and at two off-campus classroom and laboratory sites.

In January 2019, GCE began providing education services to numerous university partners across the United States, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Orbis Education, which we acquired, by merger on January 22, 2019 for $361,184, net of cash acquired (the “Acquisition”). In the healthcare field, GCE, together with Orbis Education, works in partnership with a growing number of top universities and healthcare networks across the country, offering healthcare-related academic programs at off-campus classroom and laboratory sites located near healthcare providers and developing high-quality, career-ready graduates who enter the workforce ready to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

As of September 30, 2021, GCE provides education services to 27 university partners across the United States.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has no components of other comprehensive income (loss), and therefore, comprehensive income equals net income.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10, consistent in all material respects with those applied in its financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Such interim financial information is unaudited but reflects all adjustments that in the opinion of management are necessary for the fair presentation of the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and footnotes included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 from which the December 31, 2020 balance sheet information was derived.

Investments

At December 31, 2020, the Company considered its investments in corporate bonds, commercial paper, municipal securities, asset backed securities, municipal bonds, and collateralized mortgage obligations as trading securities. These securities were carried at fair value determined using Level 1 and Level 2 of the hierarchy of valuation inputs, with the use of quoted market prices and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Arrangements with GCU

On July 1, 2018, the Company consummated an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with GCU. In conjunction with the Asset Purchase Agreement, we received a secured note from GCU as consideration for the transferred assets (the “Transferred Assets”) in the initial principal amount of $870,097 (the “Secured Note”). The Secured Note contains customary commercial credit terms, including affirmative and negative covenants applicable to GCU, and provides that the Secured Note bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0%, has a maturity date of June 30, 2025, and is secured by all of the assets of GCU. The Secured Note provides for GCU to make interest only payments during the term, with all principal and accrued and unpaid interest due at maturity and also provides that we may loan additional amounts to GCU to fund approved capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had loaned $99,815 to GCU, net of repayments. In connection with the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company and GCU entered into a long-term master services agreement pursuant to which the Company provides identified technology and academic services, counseling services and support, marketing and communication services, and several back-office services to GCU in return for 60% of GCU’s tuition and fee revenue. Except for identified liabilities assumed by GCU, GCE retained responsibility for all liabilities of the business arising from pre-closing operations.

Internally Developed Software

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to internal-use software, primarily consisting of direct labor associated with creating the software. Software development projects generally include three stages: the preliminary project stage (all costs are expensed as incurred), the application development stage (certain costs are capitalized and certain costs are expensed as incurred) and the post-implementation or operation stage (all costs are expensed as incurred). Costs capitalized in the application development stage include costs of design, coding, integration, and testing of the software developed. Capitalization of costs requires judgment in determining when a project has reached the application development stage and the period over which we expect to benefit from the use of that software. Once the software is placed in service, these costs are amortized straight-line over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally three years. These assets are a component of our property and equipment, net in our consolidated balance sheets.

Capitalized Content Development

The Company capitalizes certain costs to fulfill a contract related to the development and digital creation of content on a course-by-course basis for each university partner, many times in conjunction with faculty and subject matter experts. The Company is responsible for the conversion of instructional materials to an on-line format, including outlines, quizzes, lectures, and articles in accordance with the educational guidelines provided to us by our university partners, prior to the respective course commencing. We also capitalize the creation of learning objects which are digital assets such as online demonstrations, simulations, and case studies used to obtain learning objectives.

Costs that are capitalized include payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated and spend time producing content and payments to faculty and subject matter experts involved in the process. The Company starts capitalizing content costs when it begins to develop or to convert a particular course, resources have been assigned and a timeline has been set. The content asset is placed in service when all work is complete and the curriculum could be used for instruction. Capitalized content development assets are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The Company has concluded that the most appropriate method to amortize the deferred content assets is on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the course, which is generally four years which corresponds with course’s review and major revision cycle. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $1,209 and $1,198, respectively, net of amortization, of deferred content assets are included in other assets, long-term in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and amortization is included in technical and academic services where the costs originated.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is a finance or operating lease. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement to determine the present value of lease payments over the lease term. At lease inception, the Company determines the lease term by assuming no exercises of renewal options, due to the Company’s constantly changing geographical needs for its university partners. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded in the consolidated balance sheets and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, and the non-lease components are accounted for separately and not included in our ROU assets and lease liabilities. Leases primarily consist of off-campus classroom and laboratory site locations and office space.

Business Combinations

The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired, including tangible and intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred and are recorded in the loss on transaction in the consolidated financial statements. The determination of the fair value and useful lives of the intangible assets acquired involves certain judgments and estimates. These judgements can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future and the appropriate weighted average cost of capital. The net assets and result of operations of an acquired entity are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment. Goodwill is allocated to our reporting unit at the education services segment, which is the same as the entity as a whole (entity level reporting unit). The Company has concluded there is one operating segment and one reporting unit for goodwill impairment consideration. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued guidance that permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company reviews goodwill at least annually or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount.

Finite-lived intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value on their acquisition dates and are amortized using a method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible asset if the pattern of economic benefit cannot be reliability determined. Finite-lived intangible assets consist of university partner relationships and trade names. The Company reviews its finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an intangible asset may not be recoverable. There were no indicators that the carrying amount of the finite-lived intangible assets were impaired as of September 30, 2021. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such intangible assets are not recoverable, a potential impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying amounts of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Acquisition

On January 22, 2019, GCE acquired Orbis Education for $361,184 (inclusive of closing date adjustments and net of cash acquired). The Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method the cost of the target is allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The estimated fair values of current assets and liabilities were based upon their historical costs on the date of acquisition due to their short-term nature. The majority of property and equipment were also estimated based upon historical costs as they approximated fair value. Identified intangible assets of $210,280 consisted primarily of university partner relationships that were valued at $210,000. The fair value of university partner relationships was determined using the multiple-period excess earnings method. The fair value of the assets acquired, less the liabilities assumed, exceeded the purchase price by $157,825 which was recorded as goodwill.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for share-based payment awards made to employees and directors. The fair value of the Company’s restricted stock awards is based on the market price of its common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock grants is expensed over the vesting period using the straight-line method for Company employees and the Company’s board of directors. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued compensation and benefits and accrued liabilities expenses approximate their fair value based on the liquidity or the short-term maturities of these instruments. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 the fair value of the Company’s Secured Note was $1,037,256 and $1,049,458, respectively. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 the carrying value of Secured Note receivable was $964,912 for both periods. The carrying value of notes payable approximates fair value as it is based on variable rate index.

The fair value of investments was determined using Level 1 and Level 2 of the hierarchy of valuation inputs, with the use of inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets. The unit of account used for valuation is the individual underlying security. The basis for fair value measurements for each level is described below, with Level 1 having the highest priority.

​

-Level 1 – inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

​

-Level 2 – inputs are quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in non-active markets; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant valuation drivers are observable.

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Investments are comprised of corporate bonds, commercial paper, municipal securities, asset backed securities, municipal bonds, and collateralized mortgage obligations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates all of its revenue through services agreements with its university partners (“Services Agreements”), pursuant to which the Company provides integrated technology and academic services, marketing and communication services, and back office services to its university partners in return for a percentage of tuition and fee revenue.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

The Company’s Services Agreements have initial terms ranging from 7-15 years, subject to renewal options, although certain agreements may give the university partners the right to terminate early if certain conditions are met. The Company’s Services Agreements have a single performance obligation, as the promises to provide the identified services are not distinct within the context of these agreements. The single performance obligation is delivered as our partners receive and consume benefits, which occurs ratably over a series of distinct service periods (daily or semester). Service revenue is recognized over time using the output method of measuring progress towards complete satisfaction of the single performance obligation. The output method provides a faithful depiction of the performance toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation and can be tied to the time elapsed which is consumed evenly over the service period and is a direct measurement of the value provided to our partners. The service fees received from our partners over the term of the agreement are variable in nature in that they are dependent upon the number of students attending the university partner’s program and revenues generated from those students during the service period. Due to the variable nature of the consideration over the life of the service arrangement, the Company considered forming an expectation of the variable consideration to be received over the service life of this one performance obligation. However, since the performance obligation represents a series of distinct services, the Company recognizes the variable consideration that becomes known and billable because these fees relate to the distinct service period in which the fees are earned. The Company meets the criteria in the standard and exercises the practical expedient to not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the single performance obligation that is unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations because the directly allocable variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a service that forms part of a single performance obligation. The service fees are calculated and settled per the terms of the Services Agreements and result in a settlement duration of less than one year for all partners. There are no refunds or return rights under the Services Agreements.

The Company’s receivables represent unconditional rights to consideration from our Services Agreements with our university partners. Accounts receivable, net is stated at amortized cost, net of any allowance for credit losses and contains billed and unbilled revenue. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for credit losses using relevant available information about expected credit losses, including information about historical credit losses, past events, current conditions, and other factors which may affect the collectability of receivables. There have been no amounts written off and no allowance for credit losses established as of September 30, 2021 given historical collection experience. The Company will continue to review and revise its allowance methodology based on its collection experience with its partners.

​

For our partners with unbilled revenue, revenue recognition occurs in advance of billings. Billings for some university partners do not occur until after the service period has commenced and final enrollment information is available. Our unbilled revenue of $11,604 and $294 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, are included in accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenue represents the excess of amounts received as compared to amounts recognized in revenue on our consolidated statements of income as of the end of the reporting period, and such amounts are reflected as a current liability on our consolidated balance sheets. We generally receive payments for our services billed within 30 days of invoice. These payments are recorded as deferred revenue until the services are delivered and revenue is recognized.

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Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company records its accounts receivable and Secured Note receivable at the net amount expected to be collected. Our accounts receivable are derived through education services provided to university partners. Our Secured Note receivable was derived through the sale of university related assets to our most significant university partner, GCU. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses resulting from our university partners not making payments. The Company determines the adequacy of the allowance by periodically evaluating each university partners balance, considering their financial condition and credit history, and considering current and forecasted economic conditions. Since our transition to an education services company on July 1, 2018, and continued growth to 27 university partners,

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

the Company has no credit losses with any of our university partners. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments using a modified retrospective approach. This model requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information and requires the Company to estimate expected credit losses including a measure of the expected risk of credit loss even if that risk is remote over the lifetime of the asset. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a reserve of $5,000 on its long-term Secured Note receivable. The cumulative effect for the Company upon adoption of this new standard was $3,832, net of taxes of $1,168. Bad debt expense is recorded as a technology and academic services expense in the consolidated income statements. The Company will continue to actively monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on expected credit losses.

Technology and Academic Services

Technology and academic services consist primarily of costs related to ongoing maintenance of educational infrastructure, including online course delivery and management, student records, assessment, customer relations management and other internal administrative systems. This also includes costs to provide support for content development, faculty training, development and other faculty support, technology support, rent and occupancy costs for university partners’ off-campus locations, and assistance with state compliance. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, information technology costs, amortization of content development costs and other costs associated with these support services. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of certain services, primarily at the Company’s Phoenix, Arizona and Indianapolis, Indiana locations.

Counseling Services and Support

Counseling services and support consist primarily of costs including team-based counseling and other support to prospective and current students as well as financial aid processing. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, and other costs such as dues, fees and subscriptions and travel costs. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, lease expense, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of certain services, primarily at the Company’s Phoenix, Arizona and Indianapolis, Indiana locations.

Marketing and Communication

Marketing and communication includes lead acquisition, digital communication strategies, brand identity advertising, media planning and strategy, video, data science and analysis, marketing to potential students and other promotional and communication services. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation for marketing and communication personnel, brand advertising, marketing leads and other promotional and communication expenses. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, lease expense, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of certain services, primarily at the Company’s Phoenix, Arizona and Indianapolis, Indiana locations. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include salaries, benefits and share-based compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, compliance, and other corporate functions. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, lease expense, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services, primarily at the Company’s Phoenix, Arizona and Indianapolis, Indiana locations.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company accrues for contingent obligations when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, the likelihood of any loss exposure is assessed. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss is estimable, the Company records a liability for the estimated loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the potential loss is not estimable, the Company will disclose the claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount of the potential loss could be material. Estimates that are particularly sensitive to future changes include tax, legal, and other regulatory matters, which are subject to change as events evolve, and as additional information becomes available during the administrative and litigation process. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company believes the credit risk related to cash equivalents and investments is limited due to its adherence to an investment policy that requires investments to have a minimum BBB rating, depending on the type of security, by one major rating agency at the time of purchase. All of the Company’s cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consist of investments rated BBB or higher by at least one rating agency. Additionally, the Company utilizes more than one financial institution to conduct initial and ongoing credit analysis on its investment portfolio to monitor and lower the potential impact of market risk associated with its cash equivalents and investment portfolio. The Company is also subject to credit risk for its accounts receivable balance and its Secured Note. The Company has not experienced any losses on receivables since July 1, 2018, the date the Company transitioned to an educational service provider. To manage accounts receivable risk, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, if needed. The Company monitors the credit risk exposure of the counterparty of the Secured Note to determine whether an adjustment to allowance for credit loss is necessary. A significant deterioration in the financial viability of our counterparty and corresponding decline in the fair value of the collateralized assets could impact the collectability risk of the Secured Note. Our dependence on our most significant university partner, which is also the counterparty to the Secured Note, with 85.0% and 86.5% of total service revenue for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, subjects us to the risk that declines in our customer’s operations would result in a sustained reduction in service revenue and interest income on the Secured Note for the Company.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information

The Company operates as a single education services company using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its university partners. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer manages the Company’s operations as a whole and no expense or operating income information is generated or evaluated on any component level.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2021

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifying certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. Accordingly, the standard was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2021. Most amendments within this ASU are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or statements of cash flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company has determined that no other recent accounting pronouncements apply to its operations or could otherwise have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Investments

At December 31, 2020, the Company had investments of $10,840 classified as trading. The trading investments are held in municipal and corporate securities. The cash flows of municipal securities are backed by the issuing municipality’s credit-worthiness.

As of September 30, 2021, there were no unrealized gains or losses for available-for sale debt securities as all matured or were sold by September 30, 2021. Available-for-sale debt securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company estimates the lifetime expected credit losses for all available-for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position. If our assessment indicates that an expected credit loss exists, we determine the portion of the unrealized loss attributable to credit deterioration and record a reserve for the expected credit loss in the allowance for credit losses in technology and academic services in our consolidated income statements.

4. Net Income Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive securities, consisting of stock options and restricted stock awards, for which the estimated fair value exceeds the exercise price, less shares which could have been purchased with the related proceeds, unless anti-dilutive. For employee equity awards, repurchased shares are also included for any unearned compensation adjusted for tax. The table below reflects the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, on an as if converted basis, used in computing basic and diluted earnings per common share.

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | Three Months Ended | ​ | Nine Months Ended
​ | ​ | ​ | September 30, | ​ | September 30,
​ |  |  | 2021 |  | 2020 |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding |  |  | 44,212 |  | 46,808 |  | 45,272 |  | 47,051
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock |  |  | 86 |  | 287 |  | 132 |  | 285
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |  |  | 44,298 |  | 47,095 |  | 45,404 |  | 47,336

​

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding excludes the incremental effect of unvested restricted stock and shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options in accordance with the treasury stock method.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

For the three month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, approximately 73 and 79, respectively, and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, approximately 25 and 148, respectively, of the Company’s restricted stock awards outstanding were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. These restricted stock awards could be dilutive in the future.

5. Allowance for Credit Losses

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Balance at |  | ​ |  | ​ |  | Balance at
​ | ​ | Beginning of | ​ | Charged to | ​ | Deductions/ | ​ | End of
​ | ​ | Period (1) | ​ | Expense | ​ | Transfers (2) | ​ | Period
Allowance for credit losses | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 | ​ | $ | 5,000 |  | — |  | — | ​ | $ | 5,000
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 | ​ | $ | 5,000 |  | — |  | — | ​ | $ | 5,000
​ | ​ | ​

| (1) | Amount represents the cumulative effect of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 on the Secured Note.

| (2) | Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.

​

​

6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  | September 30, |  | December 31,
​ | ​ | 2021 | ​ | 2020
Land | ​ | $ | 5,579 | ​ | $ | 5,579
Land improvements | ​ |  | 2,242 | ​ |  | 2,242
Buildings | ​ |  | 51,399 | ​ |  | 51,399
Buildings and leasehold improvements | ​ |  | 17,027 | ​ |  | 14,352
Computer equipment | ​ |  | 110,185 | ​ |  | 100,575
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | ​ |  | 17,075 | ​ |  | 15,439
Internally developed software | ​ |  | 50,485 | ​ |  | 46,981
Construction in progress | ​ |  | 5,720 | ​ |  | 5,043
​ | ​ |  | 259,712 | ​ |  | 241,610
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | ​ |  | (125,204) | ​ |  | (112,953)
Property and equipment, net | ​ | $ | 134,508 | ​ | $ | 128,657

​

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7. Amortizable Intangible Assets

Amortizable intangible assets consist of the following as of:

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | September 30, 2021
​ | Estimated | ​ | Gross | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Net
​ | Average Useful | ​ | Carrying | ​ | Accumulated | ​ | Carrying
​ | Life (in years) | ​ | Amount | ​ | Amortization | ​ | Amount
University partner relationships | 25 |  | $ | 210,000 |  | $ | (22,677) |  | $ | 187,323
Trade names | 1 | ​ | ​ | 280 | ​ | ​ | (280) | ​ |  | —
Total amortizable intangible assets, net | ​ | ​ | $ | 210,280 | ​ | $ | (22,957) | ​ | $ | 187,323

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Amortization expense for university partner relationships and trade names for the years ending December 31:

​ | ​ | ​
Remainder of 2021 | $ | 2,104
2022 |  | 8,419
2023 | ​ | 8,419
2024 | ​ | 8,419
2025 | ​ | 8,419
Thereafter |  | 151,543
​ | $ | 187,323

​

​

8. Leases

The Company has operating leases for classroom site locations, office space, office equipment, and optical fiber communication lines. These leases have terms that range from four months to ten years. At lease inception, we determine the lease term by assuming no exercises of renewal options, due to the Company’s constantly changing geographical needs for its university partners. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded in the consolidated balance sheets and we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company had operating lease costs of $7,371 and $5,244 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had no non-cancelable operating lease commitments that had not yet commenced. The Company’s weighted-average remaining lease term relating to its operating leases is 8.07 years, with a weighted-average discount rate of 3.1%. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had no financing leases.

Future payment obligations with respect to the Company’s operating leases, which were existing at September 30, 2021, by year and in the aggregate, are as follows:

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​
Year Ending December 31, |  | Amount
Remainder of 2021 | ​ | $ | 2,255
2022 | ​ | ​ | 9,296
2023 | ​ | ​ | 8,851
2024 | ​ | ​ | 8,359
2025 | ​ | ​ | 8,047
Thereafter | ​ | ​ | 31,727
Total lease payments | ​ | $ | 68,535
Less interest | ​ | ​ | 7,861
Present value of lease liabilities | ​ | $ | 60,674

​

​

9. Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

We entered into an amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 and two related amendments dated January 31, 2019 and dated February 1, 2019, respectively, that together provide a credit facility of $325,000 comprised of a term loan facility of $243,750 and a revolving credit facility of $81,250, both with a five-year maturity date. The Company concluded that the amended and restated credit agreement is considered a loan modification. Accordingly, the Company allocated the costs paid to the bank consortium based on the borrowing dollars and recorded an asset of $596 and a contra liability of $1,639, which are related to our revolver and term loan, respectively, that is being amortized to interest expense over the five-year maturity date.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

The Company entered into a further amendment for the credit facility on October 31, 2019. This amendment increased the revolving commitment by $68,750 to $150,000, while reducing the term loan by the same $68,750 to $150,625. The Company concluded that this amendment is considered a loan modification. The amended and restated credit agreement contains standard covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or make certain investments, and require the Company to achieve certain financial ratios and maintain certain financial conditions. The Company’s obligations under the credit facility are secured by its assets, including all rights, benefits and payments under the Secured Note and the Master Services Agreement. As of September 30, 2021, the Company is in compliance with its financial covenants and the note payable totals $83,680, excluding the contra liability of $765.

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | As of September 30, | ​ | As of December 31,
​ |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Notes Payable |  | ​ |  |  | ​ |
Note payable, quarterly payment of $8,368 starting December 31, 2019; interest at 30-Day LIBOR plus 2.00% (2.09% at September 30, 2021) through January 22, 2024 | ​ | $ | 82,915 | ​ | $ | 107,774
​ | ​ |  | 82,915 | ​ |  | 107,774
Less: Current portion | ​ |  | 82,915 | ​ |  | 33,144
​ | ​ | $ | — | ​ | $ | 74,630

​

​

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims, and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, some of which are covered by insurance. When the Company is aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved could be material. With respect to the majority of pending litigation matters, the Company’s ultimate legal and financial responsibility, if any, cannot be estimated with certainty and, in most cases, any potential losses related to those matters are not considered probable.

Upon resolution of any pending legal matters, the Company may incur charges in excess of presently established reserves. Management does not believe that any such charges would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Tax Reserves, Non-Income Tax Related

From time to time the Company has exposure to various non-income tax related matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company reserve is not material for tax matters where its ultimate exposure is considered probable and the potential loss can be reasonably estimated.

​

​

11. Share-Based Compensation

Incentive Plan

The Company makes equity incentive grants pursuant to our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) under which a maximum of 3,000 shares may be granted. As of September 30, 2021, 1,414 shares were available for grants under the 2017 Plan.

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Restricted Stock

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted 180 shares of common stock with a service vesting condition to certain of its executives, officers and employees. The restricted shares have voting rights and vest in five annual installments of 20%, with the first installment vesting in March of the calendar year following the date of grant (the “first vesting date”) and subsequent installments vesting on each of the four anniversaries of the first vesting date. Upon vesting, shares will be withheld in lieu of taxes equivalent to the minimum statutory tax withholding required to be paid when the restricted stock vests. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company withheld 56 shares of common stock in lieu of taxes at a cost of $5,994 on the restricted stock vesting dates. In June 2021, following the annual stockholders meeting, the Company granted 4 shares of common stock to the non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Included in this amount is an initial award of shares that was granted to a newly appointed non-employee director pursuant to the Company’s compensation program. The newly appointed non-employee director also received an annual grant of restricted shares. The restricted shares granted to these directors under the annual restricted shares grant have voting rights and vest on the earlier of (a) the one year anniversary of the date of grant or (b) immediately prior to the following year’s annual stockholders’ meeting. The initial award of shares that were granted to the newly appointed non-employee director have voting rights and vest on the one year anniversary of the date of grant. A summary of the activity related to restricted stock granted under the Company’s Incentive Plan since December 31, 2020 is as follows:

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  | ​ |  | Weighted Average
​ | ​ | Total | ​ | Grant Date
​ | ​ | Shares | ​ | Fair Value per Share
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 |  | 419 | ​ | $ | 83.43
Granted |  | 184 | ​ | $ | 86.05
Vested |  | (144) | ​ | $ | 74.90
Forfeited, canceled or expired |  | (26) | ​ | $ | 87.03
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021 |  | 433 | ​ | $ | 86.25

​

Stock Options

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, no options were granted. A summary of the activity since December 31, 2020 related to stock options granted under the Company’s Incentive Plan is as follows:

​

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Summary of Stock Options Outstanding
​ |  | ​ |  | Weighted |  | Weighted |  | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Average | ​ | Average | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Exercise | ​ | Remaining | ​ | Aggregate
​ | ​ | Total | ​ | Price per | ​ | Contractual | ​ | Intrinsic
​ | ​ | Shares | ​ | Share | ​ | Term (Years) | ​ | Value ($)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 |  | 176 | ​ | $ | 15.34 | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
Granted |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  |  |  | ​ |
Exercised |  | (176) | ​ | $ | 15.34 |  |  |  | ​ |
Forfeited, canceled or expired |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  |  |  | ​ |
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021 |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  | — | ​ | $ | —
Exercisable as of September 30, 2021 |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  | — | ​ | $ | —

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

Share-based Compensation Expense

The table below outlines share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 related to restricted stock granted:

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Technology and academic services | ​ | ​ | $ | 1,627 | ​ | $ | 1,539
Counseling services and support | ​ | ​ |  | 4,350 | ​ |  | 4,073
Marketing and communication | ​ | ​ |  | 75 | ​ |  | 75
General and administrative | ​ | ​ |  | 2,663 | ​ |  | 2,360
Share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses | ​ | ​ |  | 8,715 | ​ |  | 8,047
Tax effect of share-based compensation | ​ | ​ |  | (2,179) | ​ |  | (2,012)
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax | ​ | ​ | $ | 6,536 | ​ | $ | 6,035

​

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12. Treasury Stock

In January 2021 and July 2021, the Board of Directors increased the authorization under its existing stock repurchase program by $100,000 and $970,000, respectively, reflecting an aggregate authorization for share repurchases since the initiation of our program of $1,470,000. The expiration date on the repurchase authorization is December 31, 2021. Repurchases occur at the Company’s discretion. Repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The amount and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be made as market and business conditions warrant.

​

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) to repurchase up to $35,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock as part of the Company’s share repurchase program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company received initial delivery of approximately 276 shares of common stock, representing approximately 80% of the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the ASR agreement based on the closing price of the common stock of $101.49, on March 9, 2021. At inception of the ASR agreement, the Company recognized the initial delivery of shares as treasury stock of $28,000, and recognized the remaining amount underlying the ASR agreement as a reduction of additional paid in capital of $7,000. The total number of shares that the Company repurchased under the ASR program was based on the volume-weighted average price of the common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount, and subject to potential adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the share repurchases under the ASR agreement was completed on May 4, 2021 with additional delivery of 46 shares of common stock. At settlement of the ASR agreement, the Company recognized an increase to additional paid in capital and a decrease in treasury stock of $7,000 related to the remaining delivery of shares. The ASR agreement resulted in a total of 322 shares repurchased at an average cost of $108.76.

On May 14, 2021, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with Morgan Stanley to repurchase up to $50,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock as part of the Company’s share repurchase program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company received initial delivery on May 17, 2021 of approximately 418 shares of common stock, representing approximately 80% of the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the ASR agreement based on the closing price of the common stock of $95.63, on May 14, 2021. At inception of the ASR agreement, the Company recognized the initial delivery of shares as treasury stock of $40,000, and recognized the remaining amount underlying the ASR agreement as a reduction to additional paid in capital of $10,000. The total number of shares that the Company will repurchase under the ASR program will be based on the volume-weighted average price of the common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount, and subject to potential adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the share repurchases under the ASR agreement was completed on August 13, 2021 with additional delivery of 139 shares of common stock. At settlement of the ASR agreement, the Company recognized an increase to additional paid in capital and a decrease in treasury stock of $10,000

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Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except per share data)

related to the remaining delivery of shares. The ASR agreement resulted in a total of 558 shares repurchased at an average cost of $89.68.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 the Company repurchased 3,873 shares of common stock, which includes shares received as of September 30, 2021 under the ASR on March 10, 2021 and shares received under the ASR on May 17, 2021, at an aggregate cost of $354,185. At September 30, 2021, there remained $864,085 available under its current share repurchase authorization. Shares repurchased in lieu of taxes are not included in the repurchase plan totals as they were approved in conjunction with the restricted share awards.

​

​

13. Subsequent Events

​

Modification of Credit Agreement with Grand Canyon University.

On October 28, 2021, the Company received formal notice from GCU of GCU’s entry into a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing”) the proceeds of which will be used to repay $500.0 million of the outstanding balance of the Secured Note on October 29, 2021. In connection with the Refinancing and related partial repayment of the Secured Note, the Company entered into a Modification of Credit Agreement with GCU (the “Modification”). The Modification provides that, in exchange for the partial repayment, (i) the Company will release its first priority lien on GCU’s assets, (ii) GCU will grant a first priority lien to a financial institution as master trustee under a master trust indenture (the “Master Trust Indenture”), and (iii) the Company will receive an obligation from the master trust evidencing the remaining balance of the Secured Note due to the Company (the “Trust Obligation”). The Trust Obligation continues to bear interest at an annual rate of 6.0%, has a maturity date of June 30, 2025, and is secured on an equal and proportional basis with all other obligations issued under the Master Trust Indenture by all of the assets of GCU.

Termination of GCE Credit Agreement.

The Company is a party to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2019, among the Company, Orbis Education Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as guarantor, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuers, and the other lenders names therein (as amended, the “GCE Credit Agreement”). Upon its receipt of the proceeds from the Refinancing in partial payment of the Secured Note, the Company repaid all amounts due under the outstanding term loan and revolving credit facilities of, and terminated, the GCE Credit Agreement and plans to use the balance of such proceeds for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of shares under the Company’s share repurchase program.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this report.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements include, without limitation: statements regarding proposed new programs; statements as to 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; statements concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results, and future economic performance; 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, the negative of these expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions of management.

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. Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements is the continuing, and potential future, adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and federal, state and/or local regulatory guidelines and private business actions to control it, on the global economy and the financial markets, the higher education industry in which we operate, our university partners, and, ultimately, on our financial condition, operating results and cash flows. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact us and our university partners will depend on future developments, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, and the resulting economic impacts and potential changes in behavior, among others, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence. Important factors that could cause our actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements, and which may be further heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, include, but are not limited to:

| ● | the harm to our business, results of operations, and financial condition, and harm to our university partners resulting from epidemics, pandemics, including the COVID-19 outbreak, or public health crises;

| ● | the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of any of the key university partner agreements;

| ● | 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;

| ● | our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to us either directly as a third-party service provider or indirectly through our university partners, 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 university partners’ students to obtain federal Title IV funds, state financial aid, and private financing;

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| ● | 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 education services 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 applicable to us directly or indirectly through our university partners;

| ● | competition from other education service companies in our geographic region and market sector, including competition for students, qualified executives and other personnel;

| ● | our expected tax payments and tax rate;

| ● | our ability to hire and train new, and develop and train existing, employees;

| ● | the pace of growth of our university partners’ enrollment and its effect on the pace of our own growth;

| ● | fluctuations in our revenues due to seasonality;

| ● | our ability to, on behalf of our university partners, convert prospective students to enrolled students and to retain active students to graduation;

| ● | our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis for our university partners;

| ● | risks associated with the competitive environment for marketing the programs of our university partners;

| ● | failure on our part to keep up with advances in technology that could enhance the experience for our university partners’ students;

| ● | the extent to which obligations under our credit 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;

| ● | the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies; and

| ● | general adverse economic conditions or other developments that affect the job prospects of our university partners’ students.

Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2020 Form 10-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as updated in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC, including any updates found in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or our other reports on Form 10-Q. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and 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.

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Explanatory Note

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “GCE”) is a publicly traded education services company dedicated to serving colleges and universities. GCE has developed significant technological solutions, infrastructure and operational processes to provide services to these institutions on a large scale. GCE’s most significant university partner is Grand Canyon University (“GCU”), a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs, emphases and certificates across nine colleges both online and on ground at its campus in Phoenix, Arizona, and at two off-campus classroom and laboratory sites.

In January 2019, GCE began providing education services to numerous university partners across the United States, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Orbis Education, which we acquired on January 22, 2019. In the healthcare field, GCE, together with Orbis Education, works in partnership with a growing number of top universities and healthcare networks across the country, offering healthcare-related academic programs at off-campus classroom and laboratory sites located near healthcare providers and developing high-quality, career-ready graduates who enter the workforce ready to meet the demands of the healthcare industry. As of September 30, 2021, GCE provides education services to 27 university partners across the United States.

We plan to continue to add additional university partners and will roll out additional programs with both our existing partners and with new partners. We may engage with both new and existing university partners to offer healthcare programs, online only or hybrid programs, or, as is the case for our most significant partner, GCU, both healthcare and other programs. Therefore, we refer to all university partners as “GCE partners” or “our partners” and no longer differentiate between partners of GCE and partners of Orbis Education; we will, however, continue to disclose significant information for GCU, such as enrollments, due to its size in comparison to our other university partners.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

Impact of COVID-19

Since March 2020, the world has been, and continues to be, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This contagious outbreak, which has continued to spread, and the related adverse public health developments that have occurred at various times since March 2020, including orders to shelter-in-place, travel restrictions and mandated non-essential business closures, have adversely affected workforces, organizations, customers, economies and financial markets globally. It has also disrupted the normal operations of many businesses, including ours, and that of our university partners.

GCE has a long-term master services agreement with GCU (the “Master Services Agreement”) pursuant to which GCE provides education services to GCU in return for 60% of GCU’s tuition and fee revenues, which includes fee revenues from room, board, and other ancillary businesses including a student-run golf course and hotel. GCU has four types of students: traditional ground university students, who attend class on its campus in Phoenix, Arizona and of which approximately 70% have historically lived on campus in university owned residence halls; professional studies students, who are working adult students who attend class one night a week on the Phoenix campus; online students who attend class fully online; and students who are studying in hybrid programs in which the ground component takes place at off-campus classroom and laboratory sites.

​

The COVID-19 outbreak, as well as measures taken to contain its spread, has impacted GCU’s students and its business in a number of ways. Beginning in March 2020, GCU’s programs for its professional studies students and its traditional ground university students were immediately converted to an online learning environment and residential students were strongly encouraged to move off campus. Summer 2020 semester classes were moved to an online environment as well and most students were given the choice of attending the Fall 2020 semester in person or completely online. Given GCE’s historical experience delivering online education services and the fact that all of GCU’s students and faculty use the university’s online learning management system for at least some of the coursework, the transition was seamless and thus, the university did not incur a significant decrease in tuition revenue or significant increase in costs associated with this transition in March 2020. The following impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic,

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however, did serve to reduce GCU’s non-tuition revenue during 2020 and have or will reduce GCU’s revenue during 2021 and, consequently, the service revenues we earned under the Master Services Agreement:

​

​

| ● | Traditional ground university students who elected to move off campus near the end of the Spring 2020 semester received partial refunds for dormitory and meal payments, which reduced GCU’s revenue and thus the service revenues earned by GCE in the last nine days of March 2020 and the month of April 2020;

​

| ● | Ancillary businesses operated by GCU such as its hotel and merchandise shops were closed in late March 2020. Most of these businesses re-opened with scaled back operations in mid-September 2020, which reduced and will continue to reduce GCU’s revenues and thus the service revenues earned by GCE until these businesses are fully reopened;

​

| ● | Limited residential students remained on campus during the Summer 2020 semester, which reduced GCU’s dormitory and ancillary revenues and thus the service revenues earned by GCE in 2020. The number of residential students that remained on campus during the Summer 2021 semester, however, was higher than in the Summer of 2019;

​

| ● | GCU’s doctoral students are required to attend two residencies on the university’s campus and at its hotel in Phoenix, Arizona as part of their dissertation. On an annual basis approximately 3,000 learners attend the week-long residencies, most of whom have historically attended in the Summer. Most of the residencies which were scheduled for the last week of March 2020 through the end of July 2020 were cancelled, and the residencies scheduled for August 2020 through December 2020 were held at another location with lower than normal attendance. This reduced GCU’s revenues including at its hotel, and thus reduced service revenues earned by GCE until residencies returned to normal attendance. In the first quarter of 2021, doctoral residencies returned to the university’s campus and its hotel, although at lower than normal attendance rates; attendance at doctoral residencies in the second quarter of 2021 returned to 2019 levels;

​

| ● | GCU shifted its start date for the Fall 2020 semester for its traditional ground students from August 24, 2020 to September 8, 2020, which had the effect of shifting tuition revenue for all GCU traditional students and certain ancillary revenue for residential students, from the third quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2020. This later start date for the Fall semester was retained in 2021 as the semester began on September 7, 2021;

​

| ● | GCU shifted its move-in date for its residential students in the Fall 2020 semester to the week of September 21, 2020, which reduced housing revenue and certain ancillary revenue for residential students by three weeks. In addition, approximately 4,900 of GCU’s traditional campus students elected to attend the Fall 2020 semester entirely in the online modality. Residential enrollment for the Fall 2020 semester was approximately 11,500 whereas residential bed capacity is approximately 14,500. This reduction in residential students caused a reduction in GCU’s revenue and thus the service revenues earned by GCE;

​

| ● | The first week of the Spring 2021 semester was completed in an online modality for GCU’s traditional students to provide greater flexibility for students returning to campus after the holidays. Face-to-face instruction for the semester commenced on January 11, 2021 and ended April 1, 2021 for approximately 80% of classes, followed by two weeks of online instruction. Approximately 3,500 traditional ground students elected to complete the Spring 2021 semester entirely in the online modality. These changes had the effect of reducing GCU’s dormitory and ancillary revenues in the Spring of 2021 and thus the service revenues earned by GCE;

​

| ● | During the second quarter of 2020, GCU’s online enrollment growth accelerated significantly into the high single digits. The increased level of online enrollment at that time resulted from a combination of factors including an acceleration of new students starting programs, a higher than expected number of students returning to the university that had taken a break from their program (“re-enters”) and a lower than expected number of students deciding to drop out of or take a break from their program. We believe these trends were primarily caused by the shutdowns precipitated by the COVID-19 outbreak as greater numbers of working adults decided to return to school to finish undergraduate degree programs that they had previously started or to

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|  | start new graduate degree programs during this time. These trends generally continued through the first quarter of 2021. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021, online enrollment growth rates as compared to the prior year period began to slow as both new enrollments and re-enters were down year over year, the numbers of students dropping out of school or taking periodic breaks in their program returned to historical levels and students completing their programs increased significantly on a year over year basis. We anticipate that some or all of these trends will continue through the rest of 2021 and thus the year over year online growth rate might continue to decline. We believe that as the year over year comparables return to historical levels and schools, hospitals and businesses fully reopen, our online enrollment growth rate will begin to re-accelerate;

​

| ● | Professional studies students have declined significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak. Professional studies students at that time were converted to the online learning environment; since then, most have completed their programs while no new cohorts have been started until very recently. Now that the university has approved the recruitment of new professional studies cohorts, we anticipate that the number of these students will begin to grow.

​

The changes described above at GCU have impacted or will impact GCE’s service revenue under the Master Services Agreement. In addition, due to the limited operating expenses that we incur to deliver those services, there has been or will be a direct reduction in our operating profit and operating margin.

​

GCE also has long-term services agreements with numerous other university partners across the United States. The majority of these other university partners’ students are studying in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program which is offered in a 12-16 month format in three or four academic semesters. The Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 and Spring and Summer 2021 semesters were completed without interruption and each university partner has started its Fall 2021 semester. Some students who were scheduled to start their programs in the Summer 2020 semester delayed their start until the Fall 2020 semester, which resulted in lower enrollments and revenues in the Summer 2020 semester than was planned. In a number of locations, the demand to start in the Fall 2020 semester was greater than initially planned but a number of our university or healthcare partners chose not to increase the Fall 2020 cohort size to compensate for the Summer 2020 start shortfall due to concerns about clinical availability. The Fall 2020 enrollment was only slightly lower than our original expectations as the Summer 2020 new start shortfall was offset by higher retention rates and slightly higher than expected Fall 2020 new starts. Beginning with the Summer 2021 semester and continuing into the Fall 2021 semester, we have experienced a decline in revenue per student from students in these programs caused primarily by some students delaying their scheduled clinical courses due to vaccine mandates at hospital partners.

​

No other changes are currently anticipated with our other university partners related to the Fall 2021 semester that would have a material impact on GCE’s service revenue, operating profit and operating margins. However, if one of our university partners were to close an off-campus classroom and laboratory site prior to the end of the Fall 2021 semester, or take some other action that adversely impacted program enrollment, such an event would reduce the service revenues earned by GCE.

​

The COVID-19 outbreak also presents operational challenges to GCE as a large percentage of our workforce is currently working remotely and is expected to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. This degree of remote working could increase risks in the areas of internal control, cyber security and the use of remote technology, and thereby result in interruptions or disruptions in normal operational processes.

​

It is not possible for us to completely predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our business, results of operations or financial condition at this time, but such effects may be material in future quarters.

​

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in the 2020 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain income statement data as a percentage of net revenue for each of the periods indicated. Amortization of intangible assets has been excluded from the table below:

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | Three Months Ended | ​ | ​ | Nine Months Ended | ​ | ​
​ | ​ | September 30, | ​ | ​ | September 30, | ​ | ​
​ |  | 2021 |  | 2020 |  |  | 2021 |  | 2020 |  |
Costs and expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Technology and academic services |  | 17.2 | % | 15.5 | % |  | 15.7 | % | 13.9 | % |
Counseling services and support |  | 30.1 |  | 29.3 |  |  | 28.6 |  | 29.1 |  |
Marketing and communication |  | 22.8 |  | 21.3 |  |  | 21.7 |  | 20.8 |  |
General and administrative |  | 7.0 |  | 7.1 |  |  | 5.1 |  | 5.5 |  |

​

​

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

Service revenue. Our service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $206.8 million, an increase of $8.4 million, or 4.2%, as compared to service revenue of $198.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase year over year in service revenue was primarily due to year over year increases in university partner enrollments and in revenue per student. Partner enrollments totaled 118,832 at September 30, 2021 as compared to 117,772 at September 30, 2020. University partner enrollments at our off-campus classroom and laboratory sites were 5,652, an increase of 12.1% over enrollments at September 30, 2020, which includes 286 GCU students at September 30, 2021. Enrollments at GCU grew to 113,466 at September 30, 2021, an increase of 0.6% over enrollments at September 30, 2020. Enrollments for GCU ground traditional students were 23,628 at September 30, 2021 up from 22,363 at September 30, 2020 primarily due to a 9.5% increase in traditional ground students between years. GCU’s ground traditional students residing on campus in GCU’s residence halls increased from 11,441 in the Fall of 2020 to 15,570 in the Fall of 2021, an increase of 36.1%, representing approximately 65.9% of GCU’s ground traditional students. GCU had a decline in its working adult students (online and professional studies) between September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2021 (see – Impact of COVID-19 above). The increase in revenue per student between years is primarily due to the service revenue impact of the increased room, board and other ancillary revenues at GCU in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the prior year period (see - Impact of COVID-19 above) and the growth in the enrollment for students at off-campus classroom and laboratory sites. Service revenue per student for off-campus classroom and laboratory sites generates 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 their students are studying in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and take more credits on average per semester. The ten new off-campus classroom and laboratory sites opened in the past 15 months, partially offset by the non-renewal of the contract with a university partner with two sites in the first quarter of 2021 increased the total number of these sites to 31.

Technology and academic services. Our technology and academic services expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $35.6 million, an increase of $4.8 million, or 15.7%, as compared to technology and academic services expenses of $30.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to increases in employee compensation and related expenses including share-based compensation and in occupancy and depreciation including lease expenses of $4.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, partially offset by a slight decrease in technology and academic supply costs of $0.2 million. These increases were primarily due to increased headcount to support our 27 university partners, and their increased enrollment growth, tenure-based salary adjustments, an increase in benefit costs and the increased number of off-campus classroom and laboratory sites year over year. Our technology and academic services expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased 1.7% to 17.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, from 15.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to partnership agreements with university partners that have off-campus classroom and laboratory sites requiring a higher level of technology and academic services than our agreement with GCU partially offset by the increased Summer and Fall 2021 semester ancillary revenues at GCU. GCE has 31 off-campus classroom and laboratory sites open as of

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September 30, 2021. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2021 we incurred costs for a number of locations that we anticipate will open in the next 12 months.

Counseling services and support. Our counseling services and support expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $62.2 million, an increase of $4.0 million, or 6.9%, as compared to counseling services and support expenses of $58.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in employee compensation and related expenses including share-based compensation and increases in other counseling services and support expenses of $2.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, partially offset by a slight decrease in occupancy and depreciation expenses of $0.1 million. The increases in employee compensation and related expenses were primarily due to increased headcount to support our university partners, and their increased enrollment growth, tenure-based salary adjustments, an increase in benefit costs and the increased number of off-campus classroom and laboratory sites open year over year. The increase in other counseling services and support expenses is primarily the result of increased travel costs to service our 27 university partners as compared to the COVID-19 impacted third quarter of 2020, during which all non-essential travel ceased. Occupancy and depreciation costs declined slightly as a large percentage of our workforce continues to work remotely. Our counseling services and support expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased 0.8% to 30.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, from 29.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to an increase in benefit costs and the return to historical levels for travel costs, partially offset by our ability to leverage our counseling services and support expense across an increasing revenue base primarily due to the increased Summer and Fall 2021 semester ancillary revenues at GCU.

Marketing and communication. Our marketing and communication expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $47.1 million, an increase of $4.9 million, or 11.5%, as compared to marketing and communication expenses of $42.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to the increased cost to market our university partners’ programs and to the marketing of new university partners and new locations which resulted in increased advertising of $4.3 million, increased other communications expenses of $0.3 million, increased employee compensation, including share-based compensation, and related expenses of $0.2 million and increased occupancy and depreciation costs of $0.1 million. Our marketing and communication expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased by 1.5% to 22.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, from 21.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to the increase in the number of new off-campus classroom and laboratory sites opened in the past 15 months and sites planned to open in the next 12 months.

General and administrative. Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $14.4 million, an increase of $0.4 million, or 3.0%, as compared to general and administrative expenses of $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in professional fees of $1.0 million and an increase in occupancy and depreciation expense of $0.1 million, partially offset by decreases in other general and administrative expenses of $0.4 million and in employee compensation, including share-based compensation, and related expenses of $0.2 million. The increase in professional fees is primarily due to increased legal and audit fees between years. The decrease in employee compensation and related expenses is primarily related to lower headcount at our office in Indiana as we have transitioned a number of back office functions to Arizona. Our decrease in other general and administrative expenses is primarily related to reduced travel costs. Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased by 0.1% to 7.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, from 7.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 due to the cost savings realized by consolidating certain back office functions and reduced travel costs, our ability to leverage our other general and administrative expenses across an increasing revenue base primarily due to the increased Summer and Fall 2021 semester ancillary revenues at GCU.

Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $2.1 million for both periods. As a result of the acquisition of our wholly owned subsidiary, Orbis Education, certain identifiable intangible assets were created (primarily customer relationships) that will be amortized over their expected lives.

Interest income on Secured Note. Interest income on the Secured Note from GCU in the initial principal amount of $870.1 million (the “Secured Note”) for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $15.0 million, an increase of

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$0.1 million, as compared to $14.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The Secured Note bears interest at 6% annually, and GCU makes monthly interest payments.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $0.2 million, as compared to interest expense of $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decline in the average credit facility outstanding balance between periods due to paydowns of the credit facility during the past twelve months and a slight decline in the average interest rate between periods.

Investment interest and other. Investment interest and other for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.2 million for both periods.

Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $12.2 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 7.4%, as compared to income tax expense of $13.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease was the result of a decrease in our taxable income partially offset by a slight increase in our effective tax rate between periods. Our effective tax rate was 20.3% during the third quarter of 2021 compared to 20.2% during the third quarter of 2020.

​

Net income. Our net income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $47.7 million, a decrease of $4.3 million, or 8.4%, as compared to $52.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, due to the factors discussed above.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

Service revenue. Our service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $645.2 million, an increase of $39.4 million, or 6.5%, as compared to service revenue of $605.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase year over year in service revenue was primarily due to year over year increases in university partner enrollments and in revenue per student. Partner enrollments totaled 118,832 at September 30, 2021 as compared to 117,772 at September 30, 2020. University partner enrollments at our off-campus classroom and laboratory sites were 5,652, an increase of 12.1% over enrollments at September 30, 2020, which includes 286 GCU students at September 30, 2021. Enrollments at GCU grew to 113,466 at September 30, 2021, an increase of 0.6% over enrollments at September 30, 2020. Enrollments for GCU ground traditional students were 23,628 at September 30, 2021 up from 22,363 at September 30, 2020 primarily due to a 9.5% increase in traditional ground students between years. GCU’s ground traditional students residing on campus in GCU’s residence halls increased from 11,441 in the Fall of 2020 to 15,570 in the Fall of 2021, an increase of 36.1%, representing approximately 65.9% of GCU’s ground traditional students. GCU had a decline in its working adult students (online and professional studies) between September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021 (see – Impact of COVID-19 above). The increase in revenue per student between years is primarily due to the service revenue impact of the increased room, board and other ancillary revenues at GCU in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 (see - Impact of COVID-19 above) and the growth in the enrollment for students at off-campus classroom and laboratory sites. Service revenue per student for off-campus classroom and laboratory sites generates 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 their students are studying in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and take more credits on average per semester. The ten new off-campus classroom and laboratory sites opened in the past 15 months, partially offset by the non-renewal of the contract with a university partner with two sites in the first quarter of 2021 increased the total number of these sites to 31. In addition, we generated slightly more revenues in 2020 as compared to the same period in 2021 due to 2020 being a Leap Year and thus providing an extra day of revenue in 2020 as compared to 2021.

Technology and academic services. Our technology and academic services expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $101.3 million, an increase of $17.1 million, or 20.3%, as compared to technology and academic services expenses of $84.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to increases in employee compensation and related expenses including share-based compensation, in occupancy and depreciation including lease expenses, and in technology and academic supply costs of $13.4 million, $3.2 million and

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$0.5 million, respectively. These increases were primarily due to increased headcount to support our 27 university partners, and their increased enrollment growth, tenure-based salary adjustments, an increase in benefit costs and the increased number of off-campus classroom and laboratory sites year over year. Our technology and academic services expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased 1.8% to 15.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 13.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to partnership agreements with university partners that have off-campus classroom and laboratory sites requiring a higher level of technology and academic services than our agreement with GCU partially offset by increased Spring, Summer and Fall semester ancillary revenues at GCU. GCE has 31 off-campus classroom and laboratory sites open as of September 30, 2021. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2021 we incurred costs for a number of locations that we anticipate will open in the next twelve months.

Counseling services and support. Our counseling services and support expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $184.4 million, an increase of $8.4 million, or 4.7%, as compared to counseling services and support expenses of $176.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in employee compensation and related expenses including share-based compensation and increase in other counseling services and support expenses of $7.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The increases in employee compensation and related expenses were primarily due to increased headcount to support our university partners, and their increased enrollment growth, tenure-based salary adjustments, an increase in benefit costs and the increased number of off-campus classroom and laboratory sites open year over year. The increase in other counseling services and support expenses is primarily the result of increased travel costs to service our 27 university partners. All non-essential travel ceased when the COVID-19 national emergency was announced in mid-March 2020. Travel costs remained low through the rest of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021 but returned to historical levels in the second and third quarters of 2021. Our counseling services and support expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased 0.5% to 28.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 29.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to our ability to leverage our counseling services and support expense across an increasing revenue base primarily due to the increased Spring, Summer and Fall 2021 semester ancillary revenues at GCU.

Marketing and communication. Our marketing and communication expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $140.3 million, an increase of $14.3 million, or 11.3%, as compared to marketing and communication expenses of $126.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to the increased cost to market our university partners’ programs and to the marketing of new university partners and new locations which resulted in increased advertising of $12.9 million, increased employee compensation, including share-based compensation, and related expenses of $0.7 million and increased other communications expenses of $0.7 million. Our marketing and communication expenses as a percentage of net revenue increased by 0.9% to 21.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 20.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to the increase in the number of new off-campus classroom and laboratory sites opened in the past 15 months and sites planned for opening in the next twelve months.

General and administrative. Our general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $33.1 million for both periods. The decreases in employee compensation, including share-based compensation, and related expenses and in other general and administrative expenses of $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, were offset by an increase in professional fees of $1.8 million. The decrease in employee compensation and related expenses is primarily related to lower headcount at our office in Indiana as we have transitioned a number of back office functions to Arizona. Our decrease in other general and administrative expenses is primarily related to reduced travel costs. The increase in professional fees is primarily due to increased legal and audit fees between years. Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased by 0.4% to 5.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 5.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to the cost savings realized by consolidating certain back office functions, reduced travel costs, our ability to leverage our other general and administrative expenses across an increasing revenue base primarily due to the increased Spring, Summer and Fall 2021 semester ancillary revenues at GCU.

Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $6.3 million for both periods. As a result of the acquisition of our wholly owned subsidiary, Orbis

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Education, certain identifiable intangible assets were created (primarily customer relationships) that will be amortized over their expected lives.

Interest income on Secured Note. Interest income on the Secured Note for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $44.4 million, an increase of $0.1 million, as compared to $44.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Secured Note bears interest at 6% annually, and GCU makes monthly interest payments.

Interest expense. Interest expense was $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $1.2 million, as compared to interest expense of $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decline in the average credit facility outstanding balance between periods due to paydowns of the credit facility during the past twelve months and an average interest rate reduction of approximately 68 basis points from the first nine months of 2020 to the first nine months of 2021 partially offset by 2020 being a Leap Year with one additional day of interest.

Investment interest and other. Investment interest and other for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $0.6 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, as compared to $0.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in interest income on excess cash due to lower interest rates and a lower average investment balance.

Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $47.2 million, a decrease of $4.1 million, or 8.0%, as compared to income tax expense of $51.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This decrease was the result of a decrease in our effective tax rate between periods. Our effective tax rate was 21.2% during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to 23.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. In the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the effective tax rate was impacted by an increase in excess tax benefits, which increased to $4.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $0.7 million in the same period in 2020 due to a higher stock price and higher stock option exercises in the first nine months of 2021. 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 will primarily impact the first quarter each year. Also, the lower effective tax rate was impacted due to favorable adjustments as a result of the completion of several state audits.

​

Net income. Our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $175.2 million, an increase of $4.8 million, or 2.8%, as compared to $170.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, due to the factors discussed above.

Seasonality

Our net revenue and operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in our university partners’ enrollment. Our partners’ enrollment varies as a result of new enrollments, graduations, and student attrition. Revenues in the summer months (May through August) are lower primarily due to the majority of GCU’s traditional ground university students not attending courses during the summer months, which affects our results for our second and third fiscal quarters. Since a significant amount of our costs are fixed, the lower revenue resulting from the decreased summer enrollment has historically contributed to lower operating margins during those periods. Partially offsetting this summer effect has been the sequential quarterly increase in enrollments that has occurred as a result of the traditional fall school start. This increase in enrollments also has occurred in the first quarter, corresponding to calendar year matriculation. Thus, we experience higher net revenue in the fourth quarter due to its overlap with the semester encompassing the traditional fall school start and in the first quarter due to its overlap with the first semester of the calendar year. A portion of our expenses do not vary proportionately with these fluctuations in service revenue, resulting in higher operating income in the first and fourth quarters relative to other quarters. We expect quarterly fluctuation in operating results to continue as a result of these seasonal patterns.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity. Our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investments were $61.0 million at September 30, 2021.

Based on our current level of operations and anticipated growth, we believe that our cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents and our revolving line of credit, will provide adequate funds for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures, and working capital requirements for at least the next 24 months.

Arrangements with GCU

In conjunction with the Asset Purchase Agreement with GCU, we received a Secured Note as consideration for the transferred assets (the “Transferred Assets”). The Secured Note contains customary commercial credit terms, including affirmative and negative covenants applicable to GCU, and provides that the Secured Note bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0%, has a maturity date of June 30, 2025, and is secured by all of the assets of GCU. The Secured Note provides for GCU to make interest only payments during the term, with all principal and accrued and unpaid interest due at maturity, and also provides that we may loan additional amounts to GCU to fund approved capital expenditures. GCU has been funding its capital expenditures using its own funds except that, in both June 2021 and 2020 GCU requested additional loan amounts that approximated its previous capital expenditures during those fiscal years. In both instances GCU repaid the amounts borrowed in the following month. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had loaned an additional $99,815 to GCU, net of repayments.

On October 28, 2021, the Company received formal notice from GCU of GCU’s entry into a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing”) the proceeds of which will be used to repay $500.0 million of the outstanding balance of the Secured Note on October 29, 2021. In connection with the Refinancing and related partial repayment of the Secured Note, the Company entered into a Modification of Credit Agreement with GCU (the “Modification”). The Modification provides that, in exchange for the partial repayment, (i) the Company will release its first priority lien on GCU’s assets, (ii) GCU will grant a first priority lien to a financial institution as master trustee under a master trust indenture (the “Master Trust Indenture”), and (iii) the Company will receive an obligation from the master trust evidencing the remaining balance of the Secured Note due to the Company (the “Trust Obligation”). The Trust Obligation continues to bear interest at an annual rate of 6.0%, has a maturity date of June 30, 2025, and is secured on an equal and proportional basis with all other obligations issued under the Master Trust Indenture by all of the assets of GCU.

Termination of GCE Credit Agreement

The Company is a party to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2019, among the Company, Orbis Education Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as guarantor, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuers, and the other lenders names therein (as amended, the “GCE Credit Agreement”). Upon its receipt of the proceeds from the Refinancing in partial payment of the Secured Note, the Company repaid all amounts due under the outstanding term loan and revolving credit facilities of, and terminated, the GCE Credit Agreement and plans to use the balance of such proceeds for general corporate purposes, including repurchases of shares under the Company’s share repurchase program.

Share Repurchase Program

In January 2021 and July 2021, our Board of Directors increased the authorization under its existing stock repurchase program by $100.0 million and $970.0 million, respectively, reflecting an aggregate authorization for share repurchases since the initiation of the program of $1,470.0 million. The current expiration date on the repurchase authorization by our Board of Directors is December 31, 2021. Repurchases occur at the Company’s discretion and the Company may modify, suspend or discontinue the repurchase authorization at any time.

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Under our share repurchase authorization, we may purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to the applicable SEC rules. The amount and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be made as market and business conditions warrant.

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) to repurchase up to $35.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock as part of the Company’s share repurchase program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company received initial delivery of approximately 275,889 shares of common stock, representing approximately 80% of the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the ASR agreement based on the closing price of the common stock of $101.49, on March 9, 2021. The total number of shares that the Company repurchased under the ASR program was based on the volume-weighted average price of the common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount, and was subject to potential adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the share repurchases under the ASR agreement was completed on May 4, 2021 with additional delivery of 45,914 shares of common stock. The ASR agreement resulted in a total of 321,803 shares repurchased at an average cost of $108.76.

On May 14, 2021, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with Morgan Stanley to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock as part of the Company’s share repurchase program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company received initial delivery on May 17, 2021 of approximately 418,279 shares of common stock, representing approximately 80% of the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the ASR agreement based on the closing price of the common stock of $95.63, on May 14, 2021. The total number of shares that the Company will repurchase under the ASR program will be based on the volume-weighted average price of the common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount, and subject to potential adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the share repurchases under the ASR agreement was completed on August 13, 2021 with additional delivery of 139,270 shares of common stock. The ASR agreement resulted in a total of 557,549 shares repurchased at an average cost of $89.68.

We repurchased 2,324,316 shares of common stock in the three months ended September 30, 2021, including the shares delivered during the quarter as part of the ASR transactions discussed above. At September 30, 2021, there remains $864.1 million available under our share repurchase authorization.

​

Cash Flows

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $208.9 million as compared to $180.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in cash generated from operating activities between the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to changes between years in the working capital balances, primarily accounts payable and accounts receivable. We define working capital as the assets and liabilities, other than cash, generated through the Company’s primary operating activities. Changes in these balances are included in the changes in assets and liabilities presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $11.3 million and $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The net cash used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 consisted of capital expenditures of $21.4 million and proceeds from investments, net of purchases of investments of $10.5 million. Funding to GCU during the first nine months of 2021 totaled $190.0 million, which was repaid in July 2021. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we paid $22.2 million for capital expenditures and received proceeds from investments of $8.7 million. Funding to GCU during the first nine months of 2020 totaled $75.0 million, which was repaid in July 2020. During the nine-month period for 2021 and 2020, capital expenditures primarily consisted of leasehold improvements and equipment for new university partner locations, as well as purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. The increase in capital expenditures between periods is primarily due to the increase in the number of sites opened or those that will be opened during the next 15 months. We invest approximately $1.5 million in leasehold improvements and equipment for each off-campus classroom and laboratory site. We have opened ten off-campus classroom and laboratory sites in the past 15 months. We plan to open a number of additional sites in the next 15 months.

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Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $382.4 million and $122.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, $6.0 million was used to purchase common shares withheld in lieu of income taxes resulting from the vesting of restricted share awards, $354.2 million was used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the Company’s share repurchase program. Principal payments on notes payable and capital leases totaled $24.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $2.7 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, $5.0 million was used to purchase common shares withheld in lieu of income taxes resulting from the vesting of restricted share awards and $92.3 million was used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the Company’s share repurchase program. Principal payments on notes payable and capital leases totaled $24.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.2 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Impact of inflation. We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 or 2020. There can be no assurance that future inflation will not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

Market risk. As of September 30, 2021, we have no derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments. We invest cash in excess of current operating requirements in money market instruments and commercial paper at multiple financial institutions.

Interest rate risk. We manage interest rate risk by investing excess funds in cash equivalents, BBB or higher rated corporate bonds, commercial paper, municipal securities, asset backed securities, municipal bonds, and collateralized mortgage obligations bearing variable interest rates, which are tied to various market indices or individual bond coupon rates. Our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if we are forced to sell securities before their maturity date that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. At September 30, 2021, a 10% increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a material impact on our future earnings, fair values, or cash flows. For information regarding our variable rate debt, see “Market risk” above.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of September 30, 2021, in ensuring that material information relating to us required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

Based on an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (who is our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (who is our principal financial officer), there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

​

​

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

In January 2021 and July 2021, our Board of Directors increased the authorization under its existing stock repurchase program by $100.0 million and $970.0 million, respectively, reflecting an aggregate authorization for share repurchases since the initiation of the program of $1,470.0 million. The current expiration date on the repurchase authorization by our Board of Directors is December 31, 2021. Repurchases occur at the Company’s discretion and the Company may modify, suspend or discontinue the repurchase authorization at any time. Repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The amount and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be made as market and business conditions warrant.

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) to repurchase up to $35.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock as part of the Company’s share repurchase program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company received initial delivery of approximately 275,889 shares of common stock, representing approximately 80% of the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the ASR agreement based on the closing price of the common stock of $101.49, on March 9, 2021. The total number of shares that the Company repurchased under the ASR program was based on the volume-weighted average price of the common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount, and was subject to potential adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the share repurchases under the ASR agreement was completed on May 4, 2021 with additional delivery of 45,914 shares of common stock. The ASR agreement resulted in a total of 321,803 shares repurchased at an average cost of $108.76.

On May 14, 2021, the Company entered into an ASR agreement with Morgan Stanley to repurchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock as part of the Company’s share repurchase program. Under the ASR agreement, the Company received initial delivery on May 17, 2021 of approximately 418,279 shares of common stock, representing approximately 80% of the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the ASR agreement based

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on the closing price of the common stock of $95.63, on May 14, 2021. The total number of shares that the Company will repurchase under the ASR program will be based on the volume-weighted average price of the common stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount, and subject to potential adjustments pursuant to the terms and conditions of the ASR agreement. The final settlement of the share repurchases under the ASR agreement was completed on August 13, 2021 with additional delivery of 139,270 shares of common stock. The ASR agreement resulted in a total of 557,549 shares repurchased at an average cost of $89.68.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, 3,873,002 shares of common stock were repurchased by the Company, which includes the shares delivered as of September 30, 2021 from the ASR agreements on March 10, 2021 and May 17, 2021. At September 30, 2021, there remains $864.1 million available under our share repurchase authorization.

​

The following table sets forth our share repurchases of common stock and our share repurchases in lieu of taxes, which are not included in the repurchase plan totals as they were approved in conjunction with the restricted share awards, during each period in the third quarter of fiscal 2021:

​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  | ​ |  | ​ | ​ |  | Total Number of |  | Maximum Dollar
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Shares Purchased as | ​ | Value of Shares
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | Average | ​ | Part of Publicly | ​ | That May Yet Be
​ | ​ | Total Number of | ​ | Price Paid | ​ | Announced | ​ | Purchased Under
Period | ​ | Shares Purchased | ​ | Per Share | ​ | Program | ​ | the Program
Share Repurchases |  |  |  | ​ |  |  |  |  | ​ |
July 1, 2021 – July 31, 2021 |  | 198,161 | ​ | $ | 91.15 |  | 198,161 | ​ | $ | 1,048,500,000
August 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021 |  | 811,473 | ​ | $ | 84.61 |  | 811,473 | ​ | $ | 979,900,000
September 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021 |  | 1,314,682 | ​ | $ | 88.07 |  | 1,314,682 | ​ | $ | 864,100,000
Total |  | 2,324,316 | ​ | $ | 87.13 |  | 2,324,316 | ​ | $ | 864,100,000
Tax Withholdings |  |  | ​ |  |  |  |  | ​ |  |
July 1, 2021 – July 31, 2021 |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  | — | ​ | $ | —
August 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021 |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  | — | ​ | $ | —
September 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021 |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  | — | ​ | $ | —
Total |  | — | ​ | $ | — |  | — | ​ | $ | —

​

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

​

​

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

Number |  | Description |  | Method of Filing
3.1 | ​ | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. | ​ | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2019.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
3.2 | ​ | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws. | ​ | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 29, 2014.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
4.1 | ​ | Specimen of Stock Certificate. | ​ | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on September 29, 2008.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
10.1 | ​ | Modification of Credit Agreement, dated October 29, 2021, by and between Grand Canyon Education, Inc. and Grand Canyon University ​ | ​ | Filed herewith
31.1 | ​ | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ​ | Filed herewith.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
31.2 | ​ | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ​ | Filed herewith.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
32.1 | ​ | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. †† | ​ | Filed herewith.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
32.2 | ​ | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. †† | ​ | Filed herewith.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
101 | ​ | The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Income Statements, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags. | ​ | Filed herewith.
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
104 | ​ | The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101). | ​ | Filed herewith.

†† This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filings of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

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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: November 3, 2021 | ​ | By: | /s/ Daniel E. Bachus
​ | ​ | Daniel E. Bachus
​ | ​ | Chief Financial Officer
​ | ​ | (Principal Financial Officer)

​

​

​

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