Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2019	May 03, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	LOPE
Entity Registrant Name	Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001434588
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,248,212

Consolidated Income Statements - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Net revenue	$ 197,287	$ 275,681
Costs and expenses:
Technology and academic services	19,039	10,697
Counseling services and support	53,093	50,747
Marketing and communication	35,461	28,527
General and administrative	11,489	7,419
Amortization of intangible assets	1,686
University related expenses		87,649
Loss on Transaction	4,088	550
Total costs and expenses	124,856	185,589
Operating income	72,431	90,092
Interest income on Secured Note	13,735
Interest expense	(2,586)	(346)
Investment interest and other	1,119	981
Income before income taxes	84,699	90,727
Income tax expense	11,456	17,046
Net income	$ 73,243	$ 73,681
Earnings per share:
Basic income per share	$ 1.54	$ 1.55
Diluted income per share	$ 1.52	$ 1.52
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	47,699	47,432
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	48,274	48,397
Service [Member]
Net revenue	$ 197,287
University Related Revenue [Member]
Net revenue		$ 275,681

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 73,243	$ 73,681
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $8 for March 31, 2018		24
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging derivatives, net of taxes of $35 and $57 for March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	(107)	174
Comprehensive income	$ 73,136	$ 73,879

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, taxes		$ 8
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging derivatives, taxes	$ 35	$ 57

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 88,467	$ 120,346
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	300	61,667
Investments	14,243	69,002
Accounts receivable, net	74,653	46,830
Interest receivable on Secured Note	4,785	4,650
Income tax receivable	3,423	8
Other current assets	12,337	6,963
Total current assets	198,208	309,466
Property and equipment, net	116,239	111,039
Right-of-use assets	13,186
Secured Note receivable	929,998	900,093
Amortizable intangible assets, net	208,594
Goodwill	151,228	2,941
Other assets	2,020	478
Total assets	1,619,473	1,324,017
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	13,295	14,274
Accrued compensation and benefits	17,985	15,427
Accrued liabilities	15,543	8,907
Income taxes payable	23,500	5,442
Deferred revenue	5,168
Current portion of lease liability	2,089
Current portion of notes payable	48,422	36,468
Total current liabilities	126,002	80,518
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent	9,427	6,465
Lease liability, less current portion	11,177
Notes payable, less current portion	199,994	23,437
Total liabilities	346,600	110,420
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 52,922 and 52,690 shares issued and 48,246 and 48,201 shares outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	529	527
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,676 and 4,489 shares of common stock at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	(143,579)	(125,452)
Additional paid-in capital	261,071	256,806
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(560)	(453)
Retained earnings	1,155,412	1,082,169
Total stockholders' equity	1,272,873	1,213,597
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,619,473	$ 1,324,017

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Common stock, shares issued	52,922	52,690
Common stock, shares outstanding	48,246	48,201
Treasury stock, shares	4,676	4,489

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 523	$ (100,694)	$ 232,670	$ (724)	$ 854,176	$ 985,951
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017	52,277	4,152
Comprehensive income				198	73,681	73,879
Common stock purchased for treasury		$ (508)				(508)
Common stock purchased for treasury, shares		5
Restricted shares forfeited, Shares		3
Share-based compensation	$ 2	$ (11,524)	3,467			(8,055)
Share-based compensation, Shares	160	119
Exercise of stock options			919			919
Exercise of stock options, Shares	59
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 525	$ (112,726)	237,056	(526)	926,683	1,051,012
Ending Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2018	52,496	4,279
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes					(1,174)	(1,174)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 527	$ (125,452)	256,806	(453)	1,082,169	1,213,597
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018	52,690	4,489
Comprehensive income				(107)	73,243	73,136
Common stock purchased for treasury		$ (10,000)				(10,000)
Common stock purchased for treasury, shares		108
Restricted shares forfeited, Shares		11
Share-based compensation	$ 1	$ (8,127)	2,635			(5,491)
Share-based compensation, Shares	149	68
Exercise of stock options	$ 1		1,630			1,631
Exercise of stock options, Shares	83
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 529	$ (143,579)	$ 261,071	$ (560)	$ 1,155,412	$ 1,272,873
Ending Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2019	52,922	4,676

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$ 73,243	$ 73,681
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	2,636	3,469
Provision for bad debts		4,997
Depreciation and amortization	4,414	13,947
Amortization of intangible assets	1,686
Deferred income taxes	2,855	1,928
Loss on transaction, net of costs and asset impairment	4,088
Other, including fixed asset impairments	(186)	539
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable from university partners	(24,722)
Accounts receivable		(3,558)
Prepaid expenses and other	(3,425)	(1,332)
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities	80
Accounts payable	(4,903)	563
Accrued liabilities	805	7,665
Income taxes receivable/payable	14,643	14,809
Deferred rent		(36)
Deferred revenue	5,123	24,686
Student deposits		(22,350)
Net cash provided by operating activities	76,337	119,008
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(4,586)	(35,347)
Additions of amortizable content	(157)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	(361,184)
Funding to GCU for capital expenditures	(29,905)
Purchases of investments	(1,772)	(17,122)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments	56,752	13,944
Net cash used in investing activities	(340,852)	(38,525)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Principal payments on notes payable	(59,850)	(1,716)
Debt issuance costs	(2,385)
Proceeds from notes payable	243,750
Net borrowings from revolving line of credit	6,250
Repurchase of common shares including shares withheld in lieu of income taxes	(18,127)	(12,032)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,631	919
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	171,269	(12,829)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(93,246)	67,654
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	182,013	248,008
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	88,767	315,662
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	1,667	321
Cash paid for income taxes	420	375
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable	736	13,081
Reclassification of capitalized costs - adoption of ASC 606		9,015
Reclassification of deferred revenue - adoption of ASC 606		$ 7,451
Lease adoption - gross up of right of use assets and lease liabilities	$ 498

Nature of Business	3 Months Ended
Nature of Business	Mar. 31, 2019
Nature of Business
Nature of Business	1. Nature of Business Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “GCE”) is a publicly traded education services company. Prior to July 1, 2018, GCE owned and operated Grand Canyon University (the “University”), a comprehensive regionally accredited university that offers approximately 240 graduate and undergraduate degree programs, emphases and certificates across nine colleges both online and on ground at its campus in Phoenix, Arizona, at leased facilities and at facilities owned by third party employers of its students. On July 1, 2018, the Company sold the University to Grand Canyon University, an Arizona non-profit corporation formerly known as Gazelle University (“GCU”). As a result of this transaction (the “Transaction”), GCE became an educational services company focused on providing a full array of support services to institutions in the post-secondary education sector. GCE has developed significant technological solutions, infrastructure and operational processes to provide services to these institutions on a large scale. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a full description of the Transaction. On December 17, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger to acquire Orbis Education Services, LLC (“Orbis Education”). Orbis Education is an education services company that supports healthcare education programs for 17 university partners across the United States. The closing of the merger occurred on January 22, 2019 and, as a result of the merger, GCE acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Orbis Education for $361,184, net of cash acquired (the “Acquisition”). The Company financed a portion of the purchase price through a credit facility provided by a consortium of banks led by our existing bank group. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statement for a full description of the Acquisition. As a result of the Transaction and Acquisition, the Company no longer owns and operates an institution of higher education, but instead provides a bundle of services in support of its 18 university partners.

The Transaction

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

The Transaction

The Transaction

2. The Transaction

Asset Purchase Agreement and Related Agreements

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 $870.1 million (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 during the first three years of the term. 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.

The Company was a party to a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and other lenders, dated December 21, 2012 and amended as of January 15, 2016. Effective July 1, 2018, the Company and the lenders amended the credit agreement (the “Amendment”) to release the assets pledged as collateral in order to enable GCE to sell them to GCU and complete the Transaction. In connection with the Amendment, GCE provided restricted cash collateral in the amount of $61,667 as of December 31, 2018.

Disposed Assets, previously Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale

The Company received Board approval to consummate the Transaction on June 28, 2018, and completed the Transaction on July 1, 2018. As a result, the Company determined that it had met the accounting requirements to classify the assets and liabilities to be transferred in the Transaction as assets and liabilities held for sale as of June 30, 2018. The assets and liabilities held for sale were sold as part of the Transaction on July 1, 2018. Accordingly, the following balances were transferred to GCU as of July 1, 2018:


Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	97,443
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,093		9,780
Other assets		7,677
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $166,066		870,097
Total assets held for sale, current	$	984,997

Accrued and other liabilities	$	5,025
Student deposits		88,010
Deferred revenue		46,325
Note payable		79
Total liabilities held for sale, current	$	139,439

The Company received the Secured Note for the Transferred Assets. The Company also transferred cash equal to $34,107 representing a working capital adjustment as part of the closing. Except for identified liabilities assumed by GCU, GCE retained responsibility for all liabilities of the business arising from pre-closing operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 the Company had transaction expenses of $550, included in Loss on Transaction.

Acquisition

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Acquisition

Acquisition

3. Acquisition

On January 22, 2019, GCE acquired Orbis Education for $361,184 (inclusive of closing date adjustments and net of cash acquired). Orbis Education is an education services company that supports healthcare education programs for 17 university partners across the United States. Concurrent with the closing of the Acquisition, GCE entered into an amended and restated credit agreement and used $191,000 from the amended and restated credit agreement and $171,034 of operating cash flows on hand to complete the purchase. See Note 11 of our consolidated financial statements for a description of the amended and restated credit agreement. The fair value of the assets acquired, less the liabilities assumed exceeded the purchase price by $148,287 which was recorded as goodwill. Transaction costs for the Acquisition for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $808 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $4,088, which are included in the Loss on Transaction in our consolidated income statement.

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 following table provides a tabular depiction of the Company’s allocation of the total purchase price to each of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the Company’s fair value estimates.


Assets acquired
Cash, including $300 of pledged collateral	$	4,793
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0	$	3,236
Property and equipment	$	5,392
Right-of-use assets	$	13,069
Intangible assets	$	210,280
Other assets	$	2,793
Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable	$	4,308
Accrued and other liabilities	$	4,451
Lease liability	$	13,069
Deferred revenue	$	45
Total net asset or liability purchased and assumed	$	217,690

Purchase price	$	365,977

Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over consideration given (“goodwill”)	$	148,287

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, consist 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 amounts recorded related to the Acquisition is subject to adjustment as the Company has not yet completed the final allocation of the purchase price. The Company has one year from the date of the Acquisition to complete the allocation of the purchase price.

The Company has consolidated the results of operations for Orbis Education since its Acquisition on January 22, 2019. Consolidated net revenue and consolidated net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 include $17,481 and $380, respectively, from Orbis Education. The following table reports pro forma information as if the Acquisition of Orbis Education had been completed at the beginning of the earliest period presented:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Net revenue
As Reported	$	197,287	$	275,681
Pro forma	$	200,537	$	289,255

Net income
As Reported	$	73,243	$	73,681
Pro forma	$	61,998	$	58,699

The pro forma information above for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 includes acquisition related costs in both periods, amortization of intangible assets as a result of the Acquisition, additional interest expense on the debt issued to finance the Acquisition, depreciation expense based on the estimated fair value of the assets acquired, and warrant expense and related tax effects. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the transactions been consummated on January 1, 2019 and 2018.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

4. 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.

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, 2018. 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, 2018 from which the December 31, 2018 balance sheet information was derived. For purposes hereof, the term “university related revenue” refer to the Company’s revenue from operations prior to the sale of the University to GCU, and the term “university related expenses” refers to the Company’s expenses related to the operation of the University prior to the sale of the University to GCU and that are now the responsibility of GCU.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

A significant portion of the Company’s university related revenue was received from students who participated in government financial aid and assistance programs. Prior to July 1, 2018, restricted cash and cash equivalents represented amounts received from the federal and state governments under various student aid grant and loan programs, such as Title IV. The Company received these funds subsequent to the completion of the authorization and disbursement process and held them for the benefit of the student. The Department of Education requires Title IV funds collected in advance of student billings to be restricted until the course begins. Prior to the Transaction, the Company recorded all of these amounts as a current asset in restricted cash and cash equivalents. The majority of these funds remained as restricted for an average of 60 to 90 days from the date of receipt. Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 represents the cash collateral on the credit agreement, which was released as part of the amended and restated credit agreement on January 22, 2019. Restricted cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2019 represents cash pledged for leased office space.

Investments

The Company considers its investments in municipal bonds, mutual funds, municipal securities, certificates of deposit and commercial paper as available-for-sale securities or trading securities based on the Company’s intent for the respective security. Available-for-sale securities are 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, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income. Unrealized losses considered to be other-than-temporary are recognized currently in earnings. Amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, interest and dividend income and realized gains and losses are included in interest and other income. As of December 31, 2018, the Company transferred its investments from available-for-sale to trading, due to the Company's decision to liquidate all investments to fund a portion of the purchase price paid in the Acquisition. Trading securities are carried at fair value and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in earnings. See Note 3 of our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on the Acquisition.

Derivatives and Hedging

Derivative financial instruments are recorded on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities and re-measured at fair value at each reporting date. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

Derivative financial instruments enable the Company to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. The Company does not engage in any derivative instrument trading activity. Credit risk associated with the Company’s derivative is limited to the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the contract. Exposure to counterparty credit risk is considered low because these agreements have been entered into with institutions with Aa or higher credit ratings, and they are expected to perform fully under the terms of the agreements.

On February 27, 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate corridor to manage its 30 Day LIBOR interest exposure related to its variable rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate corridor instrument as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $423 and $600, respectively, which is included in other assets. The fair value of the derivative instrument was determined using a hypothetical derivative transaction and Level 2 of the hierarchy of valuation inputs. This derivative instrument was originally designated as a cash flow hedge of variable rate debt obligations. The adjustment of $142 and $231 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for the effective portion of the gains and losses on the derivatives is included as a component of other comprehensive income, net of taxes.

The interest rate corridor instrument reduces variable interest rate risk starting March 1, 2013 through December 20, 2019 with a notional amount of $58,333 as of March 31, 2019. The corridor instrument’s terms permit the Company to hedge its interest rate risk at several thresholds; the Company pays variable interest monthly based on the 30 Day LIBOR rates until that index reaches 1.5%. If 30 Day LIBOR is equal to 1.5% through 3.0%, the Company pays 1.5%. If 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0%, the Company pays actual 30 Day LIBOR less 1.5%.

At March 31, 2019, the Company expects to reclassify gains or losses on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings during the next 12 months as the derivative instrument expires in December 2019.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued compensation and benefits and accrued liabilities expenses approximate their fair value based on the liquidity or the short-term maturities of these instruments. The carrying value of notes receivable, non-current approximates fair value as the Secured Note resulted from the Transaction and was negotiated at fair market value. The carrying value of notes payable approximates fair value as it is based on variable rate index. Derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value, determined using Level 2 of the hierarchy of valuation inputs as defined in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”), with the use of inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

The fair value of investments, primarily municipal securities, was determined using 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 municipal securities are comprised of city and county bonds related to schools, water and sewer, utilities, transportation, healthcare and housing.

Revenue Recognition

University related revenue – prior to July 1, 2018

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts. Prior to the Transaction on July 1, 2018, net revenues consisted primarily of tuition, net of scholarships, and fees derived from courses taught by the University online, on ground, and at facilities it leased or those of employers, as well as from related educational resources that the University provided to its students, such as access to online materials. Tuition revenue was recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction. A contract was entered into with a student and covered a course or semester. Revenue recognition occurred once a student started attending a course. The Company also charged online students an upfront learning management fee, which was deferred and recognized over the initial course. The Company had no costs that were capitalized to obtain or to fulfill a contract with a customer. Ancillary revenues included housing and fee revenues that were recognized over the period the services were provided and also included revenues from sales and services such as food and beverage, merchandise, hotel, golf and arena events that were recognized as sales occurred or services were performed as these services were transferred at a point in time. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company’s revenue was reduced by approximately $60,241, as a result of scholarships that the Company offered to students. Sales tax collected from students is excluded from net revenues. Collected but unremitted sales tax is included as an accrued liability in our consolidated balance sheet.

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by the nature of transfer of services for the three months ended March 31, 2018:


Tuition revenues	$	278,713
Ancillary revenues (housing, meals, fees, golf, hotel, arena, other)		57,209
Total revenues		335,922
Scholarships		(60,241)
Net Revenues	$	275,681

The Company’s receivables represented unconditional rights to consideration from its contracts with students; accordingly, students were not billed until they started attending a course and the revenue recognition process had commenced. Once a student had been invoiced, payment was due immediately. Included in each invoice to the student were all educational related items including tuition, net of scholarships, housing, educational materials, fees, etc. The Company did not have any contract assets. The Company’s contract liabilities were reported as deferred revenue and student deposits in the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenue and student deposits in any period represented the excess of tuition, fees, and other student payments received as compared to amounts recognized as revenue on the consolidated income statement and were reflected as current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s education programs had starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs was not yet earned. The majority of the University’s traditional ground students did not attend courses during the summer months (May through August), which affected our results for our second and third fiscal quarters.

The Company had identified a performance obligation associated with the provision of its educational instruction and other educational services, housing services, and other academic related services and used the output measure for recognition as the period of time over which the services were provided to our students. The Company had identified performance obligations related to its hotel, golf course, restaurants, sale of branded promotional items and other ancillary activities and recognized revenue at the point in time goods or services were provided to its customers. The Company maintained an institutional tuition refund policy, which provided for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdrew during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside impose separate, mandatory refund policies, which overrode the Company’s policy to the extent in conflict. If a student withdrew at a time when only a portion, or none of the tuition was refundable, then in accordance with its revenue recognition policy, the Company continued to recognize the tuition that was not refunded pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction. The Company did not record revenue on amounts that may be refunded. However, for students that had taken out financial aid to pay their tuition and for which a return of such money to the Department of Education under Title IV was required as a result of his or her withdrawal, the Company reassessed collectability for these students each quarter for the estimated revenue that will be returned and recognized the revenue in future periods when payment was received. The Company had elected the short-term contract exemption with respect to its performance obligations under its contracts with students as all such contracts had original terms of less than one year.

Service revenue commenced July 1, 2018

Starting July 1, 2018, 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. Effective July 1, 2018, the Company adopted “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” applied to our Services Agreements, as an education service provider.

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 considers 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 will recognize the variable consideration that becomes known and billable because these fees related to the distinct service period in which the fees are earned. The Company meets the criteria in the standard and will exercise the practical expedient and 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 net realizable value and contains billed and unbilled revenue. The Company utilizes the allowance method to provide for doubtful accounts based on its evaluation of the collectability of the amounts due. There have been no amounts written off and no reserves established as of March 31, 2019 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 clients do not occur until after the service period has commenced and final enrollment information is available. Our unbilled revenue of $1,556 as of March 31, 2019 represents contract assets 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.

Internally Developed Technology

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to internal-use software, primarily consisting of direct labor associated with creating technology. 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 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 sheet.

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. It 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 March 31, 2019, $1,222 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.

Amortizable Intangible Assets

The Company capitalizes purchased intangible assets, such as university partner relationships (customer relationships), and tradenames, and amortizes them on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Business Combinations

The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed, based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of the cost of an acquired entity, net of the amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, is recognized as goodwill. The net assets and result of operations of an acquired entity are included on the Company's consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired, including identified intangible assets. Goodwill is tested annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment. 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 two-step 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 value.

Long-Lived Assets (other than goodwill)

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. 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 assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

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, support for faculty including training and development, 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 location.

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 location.

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 category was primarily from our historical captions of advertising and marketing and promotional. 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.

University related expenses

University related expenses represent the costs that were transferred to GCU in the Transaction and that are no longer incurred by the Company.

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 March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 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. The Company has not experienced any losses on receivables to date. To manage accounts receivable risk, the Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, if needed. Our dependence on our largest university partner subjects us to the risk that declines in our customer’s operations would result in a sustained reduction in revenues 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 educational services company using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its 18 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.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2019

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which introduced a lessee model that requires the majority of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the ASU using the modified retrospective transition approach and elected the transition option to recognize the adjustment in the period of adoption rather than in the earliest period presented. Adoption of the new guidance resulted in an immaterial amount of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities of $498. Subsequent to adoption, the Company recognized ROU assets of $13,069 and lease liabilities of $13,069 acquired in the Acquisition. As part of the adoption process the Company made the following elections:

The Company elected the hindsight practical expedient, for all leases.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs for all leases.

The Company elected to make the accounting policy election for short-term leases resulting in lease payments being recorded as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Refer to Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for further disclosures regarding the impact of adopting this standard.

In August 2017, the FASB issued “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” This standard targets improvements in the hedge relationship documentation, testing and disclosures for derivatives. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Accordingly, the standard was adopted by us as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or statement of cash flows. The Company elected a qualitative approach starting in 2019 to assess its hedge effectiveness and included updated disclosures as required by the standard.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350); Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminated step two from the goodwill impairment test and requires an entity to recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments in this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects that the adoption of this standard will impact its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures only to the extent that a future goodwill impairment test results in the recognition of an impairment charge.

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.

Net Income Per Common Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Net Income Per Common Share

Net Income Per Common Share

6. 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
	March 31,
	2019	2018
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	47,699	47,432
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	575	965
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	48,274	48,397

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. For both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, none of the Company’s stock options and restricted stock awards outstanding were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

7. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


	Balance at				Balance at
	Beginning of		Charged to	Deductions/	End of
	Period		Expense	Transfers(1)	Period
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
Three months ended March 31, 2019	$	—	—	—	$	—
Three months ended March 31, 2018	$	5,907	4,997	(3,722)	$	7,182

(1)

Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Property and Equipment

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

8. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2019		2018
Land	$	5,579	$	5,579
Land improvements		2,242		2,242
Buildings		51,398		51,409
Buildings and leasehold improvements		11,070		9,581
Computer equipment		88,131		85,316
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		8,066		4,955
Internally developed software		31,829		39,270
Construction in progress		2,118		2,376
		200,433		200,728
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(84,194)		(89,689)
Property and equipment, net	$	116,239	$	111,039

Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

9. Intangible Assets

Amortizable intangible assets consist of the following as of:


	March 31, 2019
	Estimated	Gross				Net
	Average Useful	Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
	Life (in years)	Amount		Amortization		Amount
University partner relationships	25	$	210,000		(1,629)	$	208,371
Trade names	1		280		(57)		223
Total amortizable intangible assets, net		$	210,280		(1,686)	$	208,594

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


2019	$	6,767
2020		8,726
2021		8,726
2022		8,726
2023		8,425
Thereafter		168,380
	$	209,750

Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases

Leases

10. Leases

The Company has operating leases for classroom site locations, office space, office equipment, and optical fiber communication lines. These leases range from 3 months to 10 years. At lease inception, we determined 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 has operating lease costs of $865 and $423 for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The consolidated financial statements for years before January 1, 2019 are not presented on the same accounting basis with respect to leases. There was an immaterial amount of future lease obligations as of March 31,2018. The majority of leases that existed for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were assigned to GCU in the Transaction that occurred on July 1, 2018.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $2,193 of non-cancelable operating lease commitments, primarily for a classroom site location and a copier lease, that have not yet commenced. These operating leases will commence in 2019 with lease terms ranging from 3 to 10 years. The Company’s weighted-average remaining lease term relating to its operating leases is 6.26 years, with a weighted-average discount rate of 4.4%. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had no financing leases.

Future payment obligations with respect to the Company’s operating leases, which were existing at March 31, 2019, by year and in the aggregate, are as follows:


Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2019	$	2,382
2020		2,725
2021		2,581
2022		2,420
2023		1,703
Thereafter		3,909
Total lease payments	$	15,720
Less interest		2,454
Present value of lease liabilities	$	13,266

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

11. Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

On January 22, 2019, 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, 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 term facility is subject to quarterly amortization of principal, commencing with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019, in equal installments of 5% of the principal amount of the term facility per quarter. Both the term loan and revolver have monthly interest payments currently at 30 Day LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2%. The proceeds of the term loan, together with $6,250 drawn under the revolver and operating cash on hand were used to complete the Acquisition. Concurrent with the amendment of the credit agreement and Acquisition, we repaid our existing term loan of $59,850 and our cash collateral of $61,667 was released. 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. As of March 31, 2019, the Company is in compliance with its debt covenants. 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 has 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. Additionally, the Company expensed $150 of third party costs in the first quarter related to this loan modification.


	As of March 31,		As of December 31,
	2019		2018
Notes Payable
Note payable, quarterly payment of $12,188 starting June 30, 2019; interest at 30 day LIBOR plus 2.00% (4.49% at March 31, 2019) through January 22, 2024	$	242,166	$	59,905
Revolving line of credit; interest at 30 day LIBOR plus 2.0% (4.49% at March 31, 2019)		6,250		0
		248,416		59,905
Less: Current portion		48,422		36,468
	$	199,994	$	23,437

Payments due under the notes payable obligations are as follows as of March 31, 2019:


2019	$	36,317
2020		48,422
2021		48,422
2022		48,422
2023		48,422
Thereafter		18,411
Total	$	248,416

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	12. 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, Income Tax Related During the first quarter of 2019, the Company reached an agreement with the Arizona Department of Revenue regarding previously filed refund claims related to income tax obligations for calendar year 2008 through calendar year 2013. As a result of the agreement, the Company received a refund of $7,500, inclusive of both tax and interest. Net of the federal tax benefit, the refund has a favorable tax impact of $5,925. The Company has recorded the impact of this discrete tax item in its first quarter 2019 financials. 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.

Share-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

13. Share-Based Compensation

Incentive Plan

Prior to June 2017, the Company made grants of restricted stock and stock options under its 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”). In January 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company approved, and at the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders held on June 14, 2017, the Company’s stockholders adopted a 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) under which a maximum of 3,000 shares may be granted. As of March 31, 2019, 1,765 shares were available for grants under the 2017 Plan. All grants of equity incentives made after June 2017 have been made from the 2017 Plan.

Restricted Stock

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company granted 149 shares of common stock with a service vesting condition to certain of its executives, officers, faculty and employees. The restricted shares have voting rights and vest in five annual installments of 20%, with this first installment vesting in March of the calendar year following the date of grant (the “first vesting date”) and on each of the four anniversaries of the first vesting date. Upon vesting, shares will be held in lieu of taxes equivalent to the minimum statutory tax withholding required to be paid when the restricted stock vests. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company withheld 68 shares of common stock in lieu of taxes at a cost of $8,127 on the restricted stock vesting dates.

A summary of the activity related to restricted stock granted under the Company’s Incentive Plan since December 31, 2018 is as follows:


		Weighted Average
	Total	Grant Date
	Shares	Fair Value per Share
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018	460	$	63.28
Granted	149	$	93.07
Vested	(171)	$	55.26
Forfeited, canceled or expired	(11)	$	76.12
Outstanding as of March 31, 2019	427	$	76.57

Stock Options

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, no options were granted. A summary of the activity since December 31, 2018 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 ($)(1)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018	444	$	16.66
Granted	—	$	—
Exercised	(83)	$	19.64
Forfeited, canceled or expired	—	$	—
Outstanding as of March 31, 2019	361	$	15.97	1.83	$	35,483
Exercisable as of March 31, 2019	361	$	15.97	1.83	$	35,483

(1)

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the value of the Company’s closing stock price on March 29, 2019 ($114.51) in excess of the exercise price multiplied by the number of shares underlying options outstanding or exercisable, as applicable.

Share-based Compensation Expense

The table below outlines share-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 related to restricted stock and stock options granted:


	2019		2018
Technology and academic services	$	434	$	417
Counseling support and services		1,334		1,291
Marketing and communication		19		12
General and administrative		849		889
University related expenses		—		860
Share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses		2,636		3,469
Tax effect of share-based compensation		(659)		(867)
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	1,977	$	2,602

Treasury Stock	3 Months Ended
Treasury Stock	Mar. 31, 2019
Treasury Stock.
Treasury Stock	14. Treasury Stock The Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to $175,000 in aggregate of common stock, from time to time, depending on market conditions and other considerations. The expiration date on the repurchase authorization is December 31, 2019. 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. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 the Company repurchased 108 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $10,000. At March 31, 2019, there remained $78,102 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.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Investments

Derivatives and Hedging

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Revenue Recognition

University related revenue – prior to July 1, 2018

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by the nature of transfer of services for the three months ended March 31, 2018:


Tuition revenues	$	278,713
Ancillary revenues (housing, meals, fees, golf, hotel, arena, other)		57,209
Total revenues		335,922
Scholarships		(60,241)
Net Revenues	$	275,681

Service revenue commenced July 1, 2018

Internally Developed Technology

Capitalized Content Development

Amortizable Intangible Assets

Business Combinations

Goodwill

Long-Lived Assets (other than goodwill)

Technology and Academic Services

Counseling Services and Support

Marketing and Communication

General and Administrative

University related expenses

University related expenses represent the costs that were transferred to GCU in the Transaction and that are no longer incurred by the Company.

Commitments and Contingencies

Concentration of Credit Risk

Use of Estimates

Segment Information

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2019

The Company elected the hindsight practical expedient, for all leases.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs for all leases.

The Company elected to make the accounting policy election for short-term leases resulting in lease payments being recorded as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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.

The Transaction (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

The Transaction

Summary of balances transferred to GCU


Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	97,443
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,093		9,780
Other assets		7,677
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $166,066		870,097
Total assets held for sale, current	$	984,997

Accrued and other liabilities	$	5,025
Student deposits		88,010
Deferred revenue		46,325
Note payable		79
Total liabilities held for sale, current	$	139,439

Acquisition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Acquisition

Schedule of allocation of total purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The following table provides a tabular depiction of the Company’s allocation of the total purchase price to each of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the Company’s fair value estimates.


Assets acquired
Cash, including $300 of pledged collateral	$	4,793
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0	$	3,236
Property and equipment	$	5,392
Right-of-use assets	$	13,069
Intangible assets	$	210,280
Other assets	$	2,793
Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable	$	4,308
Accrued and other liabilities	$	4,451
Lease liability	$	13,069
Deferred revenue	$	45
Total net asset or liability purchased and assumed	$	217,690

Purchase price	$	365,977

Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over consideration given (“goodwill”)	$	148,287

Schedule of pro forma information related to acquisition of Orbis Education

The following table reports pro forma information as if the Acquisition of Orbis Education had been completed at the beginning of the earliest period presented:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Net revenue
As Reported	$	197,287	$	275,681
Pro forma	$	200,537	$	289,255

Net income
As Reported	$	73,243	$	73,681
Pro forma	$	61,998	$	58,699

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Schedule of Revenues Disaggregated by Nature of Transfer of Services

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by the nature of transfer of services for the three months ended March 31, 2018:


Tuition revenues	$	278,713
Ancillary revenues (housing, meals, fees, golf, hotel, arena, other)		57,209
Total revenues		335,922
Scholarships		(60,241)
Net Revenues	$	275,681

Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Net Income Per Common Share

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

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
	March 31,
	2019	2018
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	47,699	47,432
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	575	965
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	48,274	48,397

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


	Balance at				Balance at
	Beginning of		Charged to	Deductions/	End of
	Period		Expense	Transfers(1)	Period
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
Three months ended March 31, 2019	$	—	—	—	$	—
Three months ended March 31, 2018	$	5,907	4,997	(3,722)	$	7,182

(1)

Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Property and Equipment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Property and Equipment

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2019		2018
Land	$	5,579	$	5,579
Land improvements		2,242		2,242
Buildings		51,398		51,409
Buildings and leasehold improvements		11,070		9,581
Computer equipment		88,131		85,316
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		8,066		4,955
Internally developed software		31,829		39,270
Construction in progress		2,118		2,376
		200,433		200,728
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(84,194)		(89,689)
Property and equipment, net	$	116,239	$	111,039

Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Intangible Assets

Summary of intangible assets

Amortizable intangible assets consist of the following as of:


	March 31, 2019
	Estimated	Gross				Net
	Average Useful	Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
	Life (in years)	Amount		Amortization		Amount
University partner relationships	25	$	210,000		(1,629)	$	208,371
Trade names	1		280		(57)		223
Total amortizable intangible assets, net		$	210,280		(1,686)	$	208,594

Schedule of amortization expense for developed curricula and student relationships

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


2019	$	6,767
2020		8,726
2021		8,726
2022		8,726
2023		8,425
Thereafter		168,380
	$	209,750

Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases

Schedule of future payment obligations with respect to operating leases


Year Ending December 31,	Amount
2019	$	2,382
2020		2,725
2021		2,581
2022		2,420
2023		1,703
Thereafter		3,909
Total lease payments	$	15,720
Less interest		2,454
Present value of lease liabilities	$	13,266

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Schedule of Notes Payable


	As of March 31,		As of December 31,
	2019		2018
Notes Payable
Note payable, quarterly payment of $12,188 starting June 30, 2019; interest at 30 day LIBOR plus 2.00% (4.49% at March 31, 2019) through January 22, 2024	$	242,166	$	59,905
Revolving line of credit; interest at 30 day LIBOR plus 2.0% (4.49% at March 31, 2019)		6,250		0
		248,416		59,905
Less: Current portion		48,422		36,468
	$	199,994	$	23,437

Schedule of Payments Due under Notes Payable

Payments due under the notes payable obligations are as follows as of March 31, 2019:


2019	$	36,317
2020		48,422
2021		48,422
2022		48,422
2023		48,422
Thereafter		18,411
Total	$	248,416

Share-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-Based Compensation

Schedule of Activity Related to Restricted Stock Granted under Company's Incentive Plan

A summary of the activity related to restricted stock granted under the Company’s Incentive Plan since December 31, 2018 is as follows:


		Weighted Average
	Total	Grant Date
	Shares	Fair Value per Share
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018	460	$	63.28
Granted	149	$	93.07
Vested	(171)	$	55.26
Forfeited, canceled or expired	(11)	$	76.12
Outstanding as of March 31, 2019	427	$	76.57

Schedule of Activity Related to Stock Options Granted under Company's Incentive Plan


	Summary of Stock Options Outstanding
		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average
		Exercise		Remaining	Aggregate
	Total	Price per		Contractual	Intrinsic
	Shares	Share		Term (Years)	Value ($)(1)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018	444	$	16.66
Granted	—	$	—
Exercised	(83)	$	19.64
Forfeited, canceled or expired	—	$	—
Outstanding as of March 31, 2019	361	$	15.97	1.83	$	35,483
Exercisable as of March 31, 2019	361	$	15.97	1.83	$	35,483

(1)

Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense

The table below outlines share-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 related to restricted stock and stock options granted:


	2019		2018
Technology and academic services	$	434	$	417
Counseling support and services		1,334		1,291
Marketing and communication		19		12
General and administrative		849		889
University related expenses		—		860
Share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses		2,636		3,469
Tax effect of share-based compensation		(659)		(867)
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	1,977	$	2,602

Nature of Business (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 22, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019 Program	Mar. 31, 2019 Institution
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Number of degree programs and certificates \| Program			240
Number of colleges in Phoenix, Arizona				9
Number of university partners		18		18
Orbis Education
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Purchase price \| $	$ 361,184
Orbis Education
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Number of university partners				17

The Transaction - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
The Transaction
Loss on transaction		$ 4,088	$ 550
Amended and restated credit agreement
The Transaction
Restricted collateral	$ 61,667
Grand Canyon University [Member]
The Transaction
Cash transferred	34,107
Grand Canyon University [Member] \| Asset Purchase Agreement
The Transaction
Purchase price of assets	$ 870,100
Interest rate on Secured Note	6.00%
Term of additional lending to GCU for approved capital expenditures	3 years
Grand Canyon University [Member] \| Master Services Agreement [Member]
The Transaction
Percentage of tuition and fee revenue used for closing of purchase agreement	60.00%

The Transaction - Summary of Disposed Assets, Previously Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale Transferred to GCU (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018
The Transaction
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 300	$ 61,667
Accounts receivable, net	74,653	46,830
Other assets	12,337	6,963
Property and equipment, net	116,239	111,039
Accrued and other liabilities	15,543	8,907
Deferred revenue	5,168
Note payable	$ 199,994	$ 23,437
Assets Held for Sale
The Transaction
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			$ 97,443
Accounts receivable, net			9,780
Other assets			7,677
Property and equipment, net			870,097
Total assets held for sale, current			984,997
Liabilities Held for Sale
The Transaction
Accrued and other liabilities			5,025
Student deposits			88,010
Deferred revenue			46,325
Note payable			79
Total liabilities held for sale, current			$ 139,439

The Transaction - Summary of Disposed Assets, previously Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale Transferred to GCU - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
The Transaction
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 0			$ 7,182	$ 5,907
Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment	$ 84,194	$ 89,689
Assets Held for Sale
The Transaction
Allowance for doubtful accounts			$ 6,093
Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment			$ 166,066

Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 22, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 Institution	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Acquisition
Number of university partners		18			18
Goodwill				$ 2,941		$ 151,228
Assets acquired
Right-of-use assets	$ 13,069
Liabilities assumed
Lease liability	13,069
Net revenue		$ 197,287	$ 275,681
Net income		73,243	73,681
Orbis Education
Acquisition
Purchase price	361,184
Goodwill	148,287
Transaction costs		4,088		$ 808
Assets acquired
Cash	4,793
Cash, pledged collateral	300
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0	3,236
Accounts receivable, allowance	0
Property and equipment	5,392
Right-of-use assets	13,069
Intangible assets	210,280
Other assets	2,793
Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable	4,308
Accrued and other liabilities	4,451
Lease liability	13,069
Deferred revenue	45
Total net asset or liability purchased and assumed	217,690
Purchase price	365,977
Net revenue		197,287	275,681
Net income		73,243	73,681
Pro forma net revenue		200,537	289,255
Pro forma net income		61,998	$ 58,699
Orbis Education \| University partner relationships
Assets acquired
Intangible assets	210,000
Orbis Education \| Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019
Acquisition
Purchase price	171,034
Acquisition consideration funded by credit agreement	$ 191,000
Orbis Education
Acquisition
Number of university partners \| Institution					17
Liabilities assumed
Net revenue		17,481
Net income		$ 380

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 Institution	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 22, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Costs capitalized to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers					$ 0
Unbilled revenue					1,556
Reduction in revenue due to scholarships offered to students			$ 60,241
Other assets					2,020			$ 478
Amounts written off		$ 0	3,722
Allowance for doubtful accounts			7,182		0				$ 5,907
Number of university partners		18		18
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes			(1,174)
Right-of-use assets					13,186		$ 498
Lease liabilities					13,266		$ 498
Right-of-use assets						$ 13,069
Lease liability						$ 13,069
Election of hindsight practical expedient		true
Election of package of practical expedients		true
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes			1,174
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated Average Useful Life		3 years
Capitalized Content Development
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Other assets					1,222
Estimated Average Useful Life		4 years
Grand Canyon University [Member] \| Master Services Agreement [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of tuition and fee revenue used for closing of purchase agreement	60.00%
Interest Rate Corridor [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivative instrument					58,333
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0%
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate spread on 30 Day LIBOR		1.50%
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0%
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate spread on 30 Day LIBOR		1.50%
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Effective portion of gain (loss) on derivatives included as a component of other comprehensive income		$ 142	$ 231
Other Assets [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fair values of interest rate corridor instrument					$ 423			$ 600
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents		60 days
Initial contract terms		7 years
Minimum [Member] \| Interest Rate Corridor [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0%
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
30 Day LIBOR index rate		1.50%
Minimum [Member] \| Interest Rate Corridor [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0%
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
30 Day LIBOR index rate		3.00%
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents		90 days
Initial contract terms		15 years
Maximum [Member] \| Interest Rate Corridor [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
30 Day LIBOR index rate		1.50%
Maximum [Member] \| Interest Rate Corridor [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0%
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
30 Day LIBOR index rate		3.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Revenues Disaggregated by Nature of Transfer of Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 335,922
Scholarships		(60,241)
Net Revenues	$ 197,287	275,681
Tuition Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		278,713
Ancillary Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 57,209

Net Income Per Common Share - Summary of Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	47,699	47,432
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock	575	965
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	48,274	48,397

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at Beginning of Period		$ 5,907
Charged to Expense		4,997
Deductions/Transfers	$ 0	(3,722)
Balance at End of Period	$ 0	$ 7,182

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	$ 200,433	$ 200,728
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(84,194)	(89,689)
Property and equipment, net	116,239	111,039
Land [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	5,579	5,579
Land Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	2,242	2,242
Buildings [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	51,398	51,409
Buildings and Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	11,070	9,581
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	88,131	85,316
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	8,066	4,955
Internally Developed Software [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	31,829	39,270
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment	$ 2,118	$ 2,376

Intangible Assets - Net Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 210,280
Accumulated Amortization	(1,686)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 208,594
University partner relationships
Intangible Assets
Estimated Average Useful Life	25 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 210,000
Accumulated Amortization	(1,629)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 208,371
Trade names
Intangible Assets
Estimated Average Useful Life	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 280
Accumulated Amortization	(57)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 223

Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense for Developed Curricula and Student Relationships (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Amortization expense for years ending June 30:
Net Carrying Amount	$ 208,594
University partner relationships and trade names
Amortization expense for years ending June 30:
2019	6,767
2020	8,726
2021	8,726
2022	8,726
2023	8,425
Thereafter	168,380
Net Carrying Amount	$ 209,750

Leases - Lease Details (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Leases - Lease Details (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Leases
Option to renew operating leases	false
Operating lease costs	$ 865
Operating lease costs		$ 423
Non-cancelable operating lease commitments	$ 2,193
Weighted-average remaining lease term	6 years 3 months 4 days
Weighted-average discount rate of operating leases	4.40%
Minimum [Member]
Leases
Term of operating leases	3 months
Term of non-cancelable operating lease commitments	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Leases
Term of operating leases	10 years
Term of non-cancelable operating lease commitments	10 years

Leases - Future Payment Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Leases
2019	$ 2,382
2020	2,725
2021	2,581
2022	2,420
2023	1,703
Thereafter	3,909
Total lease payments	15,720
Less interest	2,454
Present value of lease liabilities	$ 13,266	$ 498

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 22, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Repayments of term loan	$ 59,850
Cash collateral released on repayment of debt	61,667
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Amount of credit facilities	$ 325,000
Term of credit facility	5 years
Loan modification costs expensed		$ 150
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Orbis Education
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Acquisition consideration funded by credit agreement	$ 191,000
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| 30 Day LIBOR
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Margin on interest rate	2.00%
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Term loan facility
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Amount of credit facilities	$ 243,750
Installment payment as a percentage of principal amount	5.00%
Loan modification costs	$ 1,639
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Term loan facility \| 30 Day LIBOR
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Margin on interest rate		2.00%
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Amount of credit facilities	81,250
Loan modification costs	596
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| Orbis Education
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Acquisition consideration funded by credit agreement	$ 6,250
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Margin on interest rate		2.00%

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities - Current and Noncurrent Portions of Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 22, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Less: Current portion		$ 48,422	$ 36,468
Notes payable, less current portion		199,994	23,437
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Notes payable including current portion		248,416	59,905
Less: Current portion		48,422	36,468
Notes payable, less current portion		199,994	23,437
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| 30 Day LIBOR
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Margin on interest rate	2.00%
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Term loan facility
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Quarterly payment of notes payable		$ 12,188
Interest rate of notes payable		4.49%
Notes payable including current portion		$ 242,166	59,905
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Term loan facility \| 30 Day LIBOR
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Margin on interest rate		2.00%
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Interest rate of notes payable		4.49%
Notes payable including current portion		$ 6,250	$ 0
Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 \| Revolving Line of Credit [Member] \| 30 Day LIBOR
Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Margin on interest rate		2.00%

Notes Payable and Other Noncurrent Liabilities - Payments Due Under Notes Payable Obligations (Details) - Amended and restated credit agreement dated January 22, 2019 $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Payments due under notes payable obligations:
2019	$ 36,317
2020	48,422
2021	48,422
2022	48,422
2023	48,422
Thereafter	18,411
Total	$ 248,416

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies
Income tax refund related to agreement on previously filed refund claims	$ 7,500
Favorable tax impact of refund	$ 5,925

Share-Based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) item shares
2017 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant	1,765
Maximum [Member] \| 2017 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for grant	3,000
Restricted Stock Grants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted	149
Shares withheld for taxes	68
Common stock in lieu of taxes \| $	$ 8,127
Forfeiture of shares by transferred employees at closing of transaction	11
Restricted Stock Grants [Member] \| 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted	149
Vesting period	5 years
Number of anniversaries of the vesting date following the date of grant \| item	4
Restricted Stock Grants [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] \| 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting right percentage	20.00%
Restricted Stock Grants [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] \| 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting right percentage	20.00%
Restricted Stock Grants [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] \| 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting right percentage	20.00%
Restricted Stock Grants [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award Tranche Four [Member] \| 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting right percentage	20.00%
Restricted Stock Grants [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award Tranche Five [Member] \| 2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting right percentage	20.00%
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted	0

Share-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Restricted Stock Granted under Company's Incentive Plan (Details) - Restricted Stock Grants [Member] shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance \| shares	460
Total Shares, Granted \| shares	149
Total Shares, Vested \| shares	(171)
Total Shares, Forfeited, canceled or expired \| shares	(11)
Total Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance \| shares	427
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance \| $ / shares	$ 63.28
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted \| $ / shares	93.07
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested \| $ / shares	55.26
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited, canceled or expired \| $ / shares	76.12
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance \| $ / shares	$ 76.57

Share-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options Granted under Company's Incentive Plan (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Shares outstanding, Beginning balance	444
Total Shares, Granted	0
Total Shares, Exercised	(83)
Total Shares outstanding, Ending balance	361
Total Shares, Exercisable	361
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Outstanding, Beginning balance \| $ / shares	$ 16.66
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercised \| $ / shares	19.64
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Outstanding, Ending balance \| $ / shares	15.97
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Exercisable \| $ / shares	$ 15.97
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years), Outstanding	1 year 9 months 29 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years), Exercisable	1 year 9 months 29 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding \| $	$ 35,483
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable \| $	$ 35,483

Share-Based Compensation Plans - Share-Based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 2,636	$ 3,469
Tax effect of share-based compensation	(659)	(867)
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax	1,977	2,602
Technology and Academic Services [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	434	417
Counseling Support and Services [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	1,334	1,291
Marketing and Communication [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	19	12
General and Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 849	889
University Related Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 860

Treasury Stock (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Treasury Stock
Common stock acquired, cost	$ 10,000	$ 508
Common stock repurchase authorization
Treasury Stock
Authorization amount for repurchase of common stock	$ 175,000
Common stock purchased for treasury, shares	108
Common stock acquired, cost	$ 10,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 78,102

Investments	3 Months Ended
Investments	Mar. 31, 2019
Investments
Investments	5. Investments At December 31, 2018, the Company transferred its investments from available-for-sale classification to trading, due to the Company’s decision to liquidate all investments to complete the Acquisition in the first quarter of 2019. Prior to December 31, 2018, the Company considered all investments as available-for-sale. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had $14,243 and $69,002, respectively, of investments. These investments were held in money market accounts as of March 31, 2019 and held in municipal securities as of December 31, 2018.

Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments
Investments	$ 14,243	$ 69,002

Share-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options Granted under Company's Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Details)	Mar. 29, 2019 $ / shares
Share-Based Compensation
Value of closing stock price	$ 114.51