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Grand Canyon Education (LOPE)
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Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) AI Stock Analysis

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LOPE

Grand Canyon Education

(NASDAQ:LOPE)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$225.00
▲(14.74% Upside)
Grand Canyon Education's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are the most significant factors driving the score. The company's growth in enrollments and financial metrics is impressive, though technical analysis and valuation present moderate concerns. Overall, the company is well-positioned for continued growth, despite some challenges.
Positive Factors
Enrollment growth
Total enrollment in its university partners’ programs increased 10.3%, marking the 11th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth.
Financial performance
Revenue in the second quarter increased 8.8% to $247.5 million, above estimates and the high end of management’s guidance.
Stock valuation
The stock is trading at a discount to its Ed Tech peer group, suggesting potential for price appreciation.
Negative Factors
Revenue guidance
Initial 2025 revenue guidance is slightly below consensus expectations.

Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Grand Canyon Education Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionGrand Canyon Education, Inc. provides education services to colleges and universities in the United States. The company's technology services include learning management system, internal administration, infrastructure, and support services; academic services comprises program and curriculum, faculty and related training and development, class scheduling, and skills and simulation lab sites; and counseling services and support include admission, financial aid, and field experience and other counseling services. It also offers marketing and communication services, such as lead acquisition, digital communications strategy, brand identity, market research, media planning and strategy, video, and business intelligence and data science; and back-office services comprising finance and accounting, human resources, audit, and procurement services. The company, through its subsidiary, Orbis Education Services, LLC, supports healthcare education programs for 27 universities. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
How the Company Makes MoneyGrand Canyon Education generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees collected from students enrolled in its degree programs. The company operates a dual revenue model, with income derived from both online and on-campus students. Key revenue streams include undergraduate and graduate program tuition, as well as fees for various services such as housing and technology. Additionally, GCU benefits from partnerships with various organizations and institutions, which can lead to increased enrollment and collaborative programs. The company's ability to attract and retain students, combined with its focus on high-quality educational offerings, plays a significant role in its financial performance.

Grand Canyon Education Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 13.98%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a strong performance with notable growth in online enrollments and financial metrics, alongside strategic expansions in hybrid campuses and workforce development programs. However, challenges such as slight declines in traditional campus enrollments and increased costs present areas for concern.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Online Enrollment Growth
GCE reported an online enrollment growth of 10.1% and hybrid growth of 15.4%, excluding closed sites and those in teach-out.
Increased New Starts and Program Offerings
New starts were up in the mid-teens for the second quarter of 2025, exceeding expectations. GCE continues to roll out over 20 new programs annually.
Improved Financial Performance
Service revenue increased by $20 million or 8.8% year-over-year. Operating income and margin also increased, with net income rising by 19.1% to $41.5 million.
Expansion of Hybrid Campuses and Programs
Enrollment in hybrid campuses increased by 14% year-over-year. GCE opened new sites in Albuquerque, Lake Mary, and plans for Englewood, Colorado.
Successful Workforce Development Programs
GCU's electricians pre-apprenticeship program started 80 students, and 212 students completed it in 2024-25. Manufacturing CNC machinist pathway had 33 students complete the program.
Negative Updates
Slight Decline in Traditional Campus Enrollment
New and total traditional campus enrollments were down slightly year-over-year in fall 2024, affected by challenges like navigating the new FAFSA site.
Pressure from Increasing Graduations
Total online enrollments continue to be pressured by increasing graduations, affecting overall enrollment figures.
Increased Legal and Benefit Costs
Higher-than-expected benefit costs due to an increase in high-cost claims and anticipated increased legal fees impacting financials.
Impact of Regulatory Changes
Potential impact of the 'Big Beautiful Bill' on graduate loans could affect students' borrowing, though it is expected to have little effect on GCE's partners.
Company Guidance
During the Grand Canyon Education second quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance for continued growth across its various education platforms. Online enrollment grew by 10.1%, and hybrid enrollment increased by 15.4% year-over-year, excluding closed sites. The company anticipates mid- to high single-digit growth in new online starts in the second half of the year, with hybrid enrollments expected to grow in the mid-teens. Service revenue for Q2 2025 rose by 8.8% to $247.5 million, driven by a 10.3% increase in partner enrollments. Operating income and margin improved to $51.8 million and 20.9%, respectively. Net income increased by 19.1% to $41.5 million, with GAAP diluted income per share at $1.48 and non-GAAP diluted income per share at $1.53, surpassing consensus estimates by $0.16. The company remains optimistic about the regulatory environment, expecting minimal impact from recent legislative changes, and plans to continue its share repurchase program, with $156.9 million remaining authorized.

Grand Canyon Education Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Grand Canyon Education presents a well-rounded financial performance with robust growth in revenue, strong profitability, solid balance sheet strength, and healthy cash flow generation. The company is well-positioned for continued success with conservative leverage, efficient operations, and strong cash flow, providing a solid foundation for future growth and stability.
Income Statement
90
Very Positive
Grand Canyon Education shows a solid performance with a consistent increase in revenue and profitability. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is robust at 63.51%, indicating efficient cost management. The net profit margin is healthy at 21.94%, and the EBIT margin stands at 26.63%, showcasing strong operational efficiency. Revenue growth rate from 2023 to TTM is 9.06%, reflecting positive growth momentum. Overall, the company displays strong profitability and growth potential.
Balance Sheet
85
Very Positive
The balance sheet of Grand Canyon Education is strong with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, indicating a conservative leverage position. The return on equity (ROE) is impressive at 29.44%, highlighting efficient use of equity capital. The equity ratio is substantial at 75.68%, reflecting financial stability and a strong equity base. This solid balance sheet provides a cushion against potential economic fluctuations.
Cash Flow
88
Very Positive
Grand Canyon Education demonstrates strong cash flow management. The free cash flow growth rate from 2023 to TTM is 18.69%, indicating healthy cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.19, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.02, both suggesting efficient conversion of income into cash. These metrics reflect a strong liquidity position and the ability to support future investments or return capital to shareholders.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.07B1.03B960.90M911.31M896.56M844.10M
Gross Profit680.49M544.43M503.71M487.50M515.31M493.55M
EBITDA340.93M327.87M291.68M271.30M364.75M307.09M
Net Income236.51M226.23M204.99M184.68M260.34M257.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.02B1.02B930.46M832.75M1.22B1.84B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments373.90M324.62M244.51M181.70M600.94M256.61M
Total Debt107.83M108.52M99.28M77.44M61.18M171.78M
Total Liabilities243.03M234.57M212.45M195.13M177.70M270.25M
Stockholders Equity777.98M783.85M718.01M637.62M1.05B1.57B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow261.16M252.71M198.23M185.19M283.73M278.88M
Operating Cash Flow298.07M289.96M243.66M220.82M313.12M308.82M
Investing Cash Flow-117.39M61.37M-80.47M-97.14M950.98M-19.35M
Financing Cash Flow-229.72M-173.18M-137.12M-604.21M-908.93M-166.28M

Grand Canyon Education Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price196.10
Price Trends
50DMA
181.12
Positive
100DMA
182.10
Positive
200DMA
174.79
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
5.08
Negative
RSI
68.99
Neutral
STOCH
90.61
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LOPE, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 196.1 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 177.74, above the 50-day MA of 181.12, and above the 200-day MA of 174.79, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 5.08 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 68.99 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 90.61 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for LOPE.

Grand Canyon Education Risk Analysis

Grand Canyon Education disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Grand Canyon Education reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Grand Canyon Education Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$5.51B23.7730.77%6.52%11.72%
77
Outperform
$6.85B26.1021.69%17.90%39.75%
77
Outperform
$3.80B15.2225.81%0.44%35.19%
74
Outperform
$4.64B6.8316.28%0.67%4.73%426.68%
72
Outperform
$4.61B20.7116.60%12.85%81.69%
71
Outperform
$1.86B16.206.89%3.08%4.31%-1.08%
66
Neutral
£7.76B8.467.55%3.54%2.08%24.83%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LOPE
Grand Canyon Education
196.10
56.28
40.25%
ATGE
Adtalem Global Education
128.31
55.38
75.94%
LRN
Stride
157.08
74.55
90.33%
STRA
Strategic Education
77.90
-15.35
-16.46%
GHC
Graham Holdings
1,063.97
314.93
42.04%
LAUR
Laureate Education
25.80
10.91
73.27%

Grand Canyon Education Corporate Events

Shareholder Meetings
Grand Canyon Education Holds 2025 Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
Jun 12, 2025

On June 10, 2025, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where 90.7% of the outstanding shares voted. During the meeting, stockholders elected directors, approved executive compensation, and ratified KPMG LLP as the independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions are likely to impact the company’s governance and financial oversight, potentially influencing its strategic direction and stakeholder confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (LOPE) stock is a Buy with a $170.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Grand Canyon Education stock, see the LOPE Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 14, 2025