Strategic Education, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2022

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements included in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Reform Act”). Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “assume,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “potential” or similar words, and include, without limitation, statements relating to future enrollment, revenues, revenues per student, earnings growth, operating expenses, capital expenditures and the ultimate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business and results. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Reform Act, the Company has identified important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The assumptions, risks and uncertainties include the pace of student enrollment, our continued compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and the regulations thereunder, as well as other federal laws and regulations, institutional accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements, rulemaking and other action by the Department or other governmental entities, including without limitation action related to borrower defense to repayment applications, and increased focus by the U.S. Congress on for-profit education institutions, competitive factors, risks associated with the further spread of COVID-19, including the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on people and economies, the impact of regulatory measures or voluntary actions that may be put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on business operations or social distancing requirements, risks associated with the opening of new campuses, risks associated with the offering of new educational programs and adapting to other changes, risks associated with the acquisition of existing educational institutions including our acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, the risk that the benefits of our acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, the risk that our acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand may not advance our business strategy and growth strategy, risks related to the timing of regulatory approvals, our ability to implement our growth strategy, the risk that the combined company may experience difficulty integrating employees or operations, risks associated with the ability of our students to finance their education in a timely manner, and general economic and market conditions. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Additional Information

We maintain a website at http://www.strategiceducation.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our web address is included as an inactive textual reference only. We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Background

Strategic Education, Inc. (“SEI,” “we”, “us” or “our”) is an education services company that provides access to high-quality education through campus-based and online post-secondary education offerings, as well as through programs to develop job-ready skills for high-demand markets. We operate primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries Strayer University and Capella University, both accredited post-secondary institutions of higher education located in the United States, and Torrens University, an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education located in Australia. Our operations emphasize relationships through our Education Technology Services segment with employers to build employee education benefits programs that provide employees with access to affordable and industry relevant training, certificate, and degree programs.

Company Overview

As of September 30, 2022, we had the following reportable segments:

U.S. Higher Education Segment

• The USHE segment provides flexible and affordable certificate and degree programs to working adults primarily through Strayer University and Capella University, including the Jack Welch Management Institute MBA, which is a unit of Strayer University. USHE also operates non-degree web and mobile application development courses through Hackbright Academy and Devmountain, which are units of Strayer University.
• Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, both higher education institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education. The USHE segment provides academic offerings both online and in physical classrooms, helping working adult students develop specific competencies they can apply in their workplace.
• In the third quarter of 2022, USHE enrollment decreased 3% to 75,144 compared to 77,574 for the same period in 2021.
• Trailing 4-quarter student persistence within USHE was 87.3% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 87.0% for the same period in 2021. Student persistence is calculated as the rate of students continuing from one quarter to the next, adjusted for graduates, on a trailing 4-quarter basis. Student persistence is reported one quarter in arrears. The table below summarizes USHE trailing 4-quarter student persistence for the past 8 quarters.

• Trailing 4-quarter government provided grants and loans per credit earned within USHE decreased 6.4% as of the end of the second quarter of 2022. Government provided grants and loans per credit earned includes all Federal loans and grants for students (Title IV hereafter) in our USHE institutions, and is calculated on a trailing 4-quarter basis and reported one quarter in arrears. Title IV per credit earned has been declining as employer-affiliated enrollment has grown, and as more students earn credit through Sophia Learning and other affordable alternative pathways. The table below summarizes the percentage change in USHE trailing 4-quarter Title IV per credit earned for the past 8 quarters.

Education Technology Services Segment

• Our Education Technology Services segment is primarily focused on developing and maintaining relationships with employers to build employee education benefits programs that provide employees with access to affordable and industry relevant training, certificate, and degree programs. The employer relationships developed by the Education Technology Services division are an important source of student enrollment for Strayer University and Capella University, and the majority of the revenue attributed to the Education Technology Services division is driven by the volume of enrollment derived from these employer relationships. Enrollments attributed to the Education Technology Services segment are determined based on a student’s employment status and the existence of a corporate partnership arrangement with SEI. All enrollments attributed to the Education Technology Services division continue to be attributed to the division until the student graduates or withdraws, even if his or her employment status changes or if the partnership contract expires.
• In the third quarter of 2022, employer affiliated enrollment as a percentage of USHE enrollment was 25.3% compared to 21.1% for the same period in 2021.
• Education Technology Services also supports employer partners through Workforce Edge, a platform which provides employers a full-service education benefits administration solution, and Sophia Learning, which enables education benefits programs through the use of low-cost online general education-level courses recommended by the American Council on Education for credit at other colleges and universities.

Australia/New Zealand Segment

• Torrens University is the only investor-funded university in Australia. Torrens University offers undergraduate, graduate, higher degree by research, and specialized degree courses primarily in five fields of study: business, design and creative technology, health, hospitality, and education. Courses are offered both online and at physical campuses. Torrens University is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (“TEQSA”), the regulator for higher

education providers and universities throughout Australia, as an Australian University that is authorized to self-accredit its courses.

• Think Education is a vocational registered training organization and accredited higher education provider in Australia. Think Education delivers education at several campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide as well as through online study. Think Education and its colleges are accredited in Australia by the TEQSA and the Australian Skills Quality Authority, the regulator for vocational education and training organizations that operate in Australia.
• Media Design School is a private tertiary institution for creative and technology qualifications in New Zealand. Media Design School offers industry-endorsed courses in 3D animation and visual effects, game art, game programming, graphic and motion design, digital media, artificial intelligence, and creative advertising. Media Design School is accredited in New Zealand by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, the organization responsible for the quality assurance of non-university tertiary training providers.
• In the third quarter of 2022, Australia/New Zealand enrollment was 18,493 compared to 18,188 for the same period in 2021.

We believe we have the right operating strategies in place to provide the most direct path between learning and employment for our students. We are constantly innovating to differentiate ourselves in our markets and drive growth by supporting student success, producing affordable degrees, optimizing our comprehensive marketing strategy, serving a broader set of our students’ professional needs, and establishing new growth platforms. The talent of our faculty and employees, supported by market leading technology, enable these strategies. We believe our strategy will allow us to continue to deliver high quality, affordable education, resulting in continued growth over the long-term. We will continue to invest in this strategy to strengthen the foundation and future of our business.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments related to its allowance for credit losses; income tax provisions; the useful lives of property and equipment and intangible assets; redemption rates for scholarship programs and valuation of contract liabilities; fair value of right-of-use lease assets for facilities that have been vacated; incremental borrowing rates; valuation of deferred tax assets, goodwill, and intangible assets; forfeiture rates and achievability of performance targets for stock-based compensation plans; and accrued expenses. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments regarding the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management regularly reviews its estimates and judgments for reasonableness and may modify them in the future. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes that the following critical accounting policies are its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition — Strayer University and Capella University offer educational programs primarily on a quarter system having four academic terms, which generally coincide with our quarterly financial reporting periods. Torrens University offers the majority of its education programs on a trimester system having three primary academic terms, which all occur within the calendar year. Approximately 96% of our revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of tuition revenue. Capella University offers monthly start options for new students, who then transition to a quarterly schedule. Capella University also offers its FlexPath program, which allows students to determine their 12-week billing session schedule after they complete their first course. Tuition revenue for all students is recognized ratably over the course of instruction as the universities provide academic services, whether delivered in person at a physical campus or online. Tuition revenue is shown net of any refunds, withdrawals, corporate discounts, scholarships, and employee tuition discounts. The universities also derive revenue from other sources such as textbook-related income, certificate revenue, certain academic fees, licensing revenue, accommodation revenue, food and beverage fees, and other income, which are all recognized when earned. In accordance with ASC 606, materials provided to students in connection with their enrollment in a course are recognized as revenue when control of those materials transfers to the student. At the start of each academic term or program, a contract liability is recorded for academic services to be provided, and a tuition receivable is recorded for the portion of the tuition not paid in advance. Any cash received prior to the start of an academic term or program is recorded as a contract liability.

Students at Strayer University and Capella University finance their education in a variety of ways, and historically about 75% of our students have participated in one or more financial aid program provided through Title IV of the Higher Education Act. In addition, many of our working adult students finance their own education or receive full or partial tuition reimbursement from their employers. Those students who are veterans or active duty military personnel have access to various additional government-funded educational benefit programs.

In Australia, domestic students attending an ANZ institution finance their education themselves or by taking a loan through the government’s Higher Education Loan Program or Vocational Student Loan Program. In New Zealand, domestic students may utilize government loans to fund tuition and may be eligible for a period of “fees free” study funded by the government. International students attending an ANZ institution are not eligible for funding from the Australian or New Zealand governments.

A typical class is offered in weekly increments over a six- to twelve-week period, depending on the university and course type, and is followed by an exam. Student attendance is based on physical presence in class for on-ground classes. For online classes, attendance consists of logging into one’s course shell and performing an academically-related activity (e.g., engaging in a discussion post or taking a quiz).

If a student withdraws from a course prior to completion, a portion of the tuition may be refundable depending on when the withdrawal occurs. We use the student’s withdrawal date or last date of attendance for this purpose. Our specific refund policies vary across the universities and non-degree programs. For students attending Strayer University, our refund policy typically permits students who complete less than half of a course to receive a partial refund of tuition for that course. For students attending Capella University, our refund policy varies based on course format. GuidedPath students are allowed a 100% refund through the first five days of the course, a 75% refund from six to twelve days, and 0% refund for the remainder of the period. FlexPath students receive a 100% refund through the 12th calendar day of the course for their first billing session only and a 0% refund after that date and for all subsequent billing sessions. For domestic students attending an ANZ institution, refunds are typically provided to students that withdraw within the first 20% of a course term. For international students attending an ANZ institution, refunds are provided to students that withdraw prior to the course commencement date. In limited circumstances, refunds to students attending an ANZ institution may be granted after these cut-offs subject to an application for special consideration by the student and approval of that application by the institution. Refunds reduce the tuition revenue that otherwise would have been recognized for that student. Since the academic terms coincide with our financial reporting periods for most programs, nearly all refunds are processed and recorded in the same quarter as the corresponding revenue. For certain programs where courses may overlap a quarter-end date, we estimate a refund or withdrawal rate and do not recognize the related revenue until the uncertainty related to the refund is resolved. The portion of tuition revenue refundable to students may vary based on the student’s state of residence.

For U.S. students who receive funding under Title IV and withdraw, funds are subject to return provisions as defined by the Department of Education. The university is responsible for returning Title IV funds to the Department and then may seek payment from the withdrawn student of prorated tuition or other amounts charged to him or her. Loss of financial aid eligibility during an academic term is rare and would normally coincide with the student’s withdrawal from the institution. In Australia and New Zealand, government funding for eligible students is provided directly to the institution on an estimated basis annually. The amount of government funding provided is based on a course-by-course forecast of enrollments that the institution submits for the upcoming calendar year. Using the enrollment forecast provided as well as the requesting institution's historical enrollment trends, the government approves a fixed amount, which is then funded to the institution evenly on a monthly basis. Periodic reconciliation and true-ups are undertaken between the relevant government authority and the institution based on actual eligible enrollments, which may result in a net amount being due to or from the government.

Students at Strayer University registering in credit-bearing courses in any undergraduate or graduate program qualify for the Graduation Fund, whereby qualifying students earn tuition credits that are redeemable in the final year of a student’s course of study if he or she successfully remains in the program. Students must meet all of Strayer University’s admission requirements and not be eligible for any previously offered scholarship program. To maintain eligibility, students must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master's degree program. Students who have more than one consecutive term of non-attendance lose any Graduation Fund credits earned to date, but may earn and accumulate new credits if the student is reinstated or readmitted by Strayer University in the future. In their final academic year, qualifying students will receive one free course for every three courses that the student successfully completed in prior years. Strayer University's performance obligation associated with free courses that may be redeemed in the future is valued based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cost of honoring the benefit earned to each of the underlying revenue transactions that result in progress by the student toward earning the benefit. The estimated value of awards under the Graduation Fund that will be recognized in the future is based on historical experience of students’ persistence in completing their course of study and earning a degree and the tuition rate in effect at the time it was associated with the transaction. Estimated redemption rates of eligible students vary based on their term of enrollment. As of September 30, 2022, we had deferred $48.4 million for estimated redemptions earned under the Graduation Fund, as compared to $52.0 million at December 31, 2021. Each quarter, we assess our assumptions underlying our estimates for persistence and estimated redemptions based on actual experience. To date, any adjustments to our estimates have not been material. However, if actual persistence or redemption rates change, adjustments to the reserve may be necessary and could be material.

Tuition receivable — We record estimates for our allowance for credit losses related to tuition receivable from students primarily based on our historical collection rates by age of receivable and adjusted for reasonable expectations of future collection performance, net of recoveries. Our experience is that payment of outstanding balances is influenced by whether the student returns to the institution, as we require students to make payment arrangements for their outstanding balances prior to enrollment. Therefore, we monitor outstanding tuition receivable balances through subsequent terms, increasing the reserve on such balances over time as the likelihood of returning to the institution diminishes and our historical experience indicates collection is less likely. We periodically assess our methodologies for estimating credit losses in consideration of actual experience. If the financial condition of our students were to deteriorate based on current or expected future events resulting in evidence of impairment of their ability to make required payments for tuition payable to us, additional allowances or write-offs may be required. For the third quarter of 2022, our bad debt expense was 4.5% of revenue, compared to 3.8% for the same period in 2021. A change in our allowance for credit losses of 1% of gross tuition receivable as of September 30, 2022 would have changed our income from operations by approximately $1.3 million.

Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which include trade names, are recorded at fair market value on their acquisition date. At the time of acquisition, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated to reporting units. Management identifies its reporting units by assessing whether the components of its operating segments constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and management regularly reviews the operating results of those components. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed at least annually for impairment. No events or circumstances occurred in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 to indicate an impairment to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. Accordingly, no impairment charges related to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets were recorded during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022.

Finite-lived intangible assets that are acquired in business combinations are recorded at fair value on their acquisition dates and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. Finite-lived intangible assets consist of student relationships. We review our finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If such assets are not recoverable, a potential impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. No impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible assets were recorded during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022.

Other estimates — We record estimates for certain of our accrued expenses and for income tax liabilities. We estimate the useful lives of our property and equipment and intangible assets and periodically review our assumed forfeiture rates and ability to achieve performance targets for stock-based awards and adjust them as necessary. Should actual results differ from our estimates, revisions to our accrued expenses, carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, and income tax liabilities may be required.

Results of Operations

In the third quarter of 2022, we generated $263.1 million in revenue compared to $270.1 million in 2021. Our income from operations was $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $7.3 million in 2021, principally due to lower amortization expense of intangible assets, restructuring costs, and merger and integration costs, partially offset by lower earnings in the USHE segment. Net income in the third quarter of 2022 was $6.1 million compared to $3.9 million for the same period in 2021. Diluted earnings per share was $0.25 compared to $0.16 for the same period in 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we generated $795.5 million in revenue, compared to $859.6 million for the same period in 2021. Our income from operations was $43.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $46.0 million for the same period in 2021, principally due to lower earnings in the USHE segment, partially offset by lower amortization expense of intangible assets, restructuring costs, and merger and integration costs. Net income was $28.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $33.4 million for the same period in 2021, and diluted earnings per share was $1.18 in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $1.38 for the same period in 2021.

In the accompanying analysis of financial information for 2022 and 2021, we use certain financial measures including Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Total Costs and Expenses, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share that are not required by or prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These measures, which are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules, are defined by us to exclude the following:

• purchase accounting adjustments to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of our acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand and to record amortization and depreciation

expense related to intangible assets and software assets acquired through our merger with Capella Education Company and our acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand;

• integration expenses associated with our merger with Capella Education Company and our acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand;
• severance costs and right-of-use lease asset impairment charges associated with our restructuring;
• income/loss from partnership and other investments that are not part of our core operations; and
• discrete tax adjustments related to stock-based compensation and other adjustments.

To illustrate currency impacts to operating results, Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Total Costs and Expenses, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 are also presented on a constant currency basis.

When considered together with GAAP financial results, we believe these measures provide management and investors with an additional understanding of our business and operating results, including underlying trends associated with our ongoing operations.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable with other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures may be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, GAAP results. A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided below.

Adjusted results for 2021 exclude an adjustment for foreign currency exchange impacts and are therefore not directly comparable to adjusted results previously reported for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. Adjusted income from operations was $12.2 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $20.7 million in 2021. Adjusted net income was $8.0 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $14.1 million in 2021, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.33 in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $0.59 in 2021. Adjusted income from operations was $61.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $127.9 million for the same period in 2021. Adjusted net income was $41.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $89.0 million for the same period in 2021, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.73 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $3.69 for the same period in 2021.

The tables below reconcile our reported results of operations to adjusted results (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2022

37

Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2021

Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022

38

Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021

(1) Reflects a purchase accounting adjustment to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the Company's acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, and amortization and depreciation expense of intangible assets and software assets acquired through the Company’s merger with Capella Education Company and the Company's acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand.

(2) Reflects integration expenses associated with the Company's merger with Capella Education Company, including premerger litigation settlement, and the Company's acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand.

(3) Reflects severance costs and right-of-use lease asset impairment charges associated with the Company's restructuring.

(4) Reflects income/loss recognized from the Company's investments in partnership interests and other investments.

(5) Reflects tax impacts of the adjustments described above and discrete tax adjustments related to stock-based compensation and other adjustments, utilizing an adjusted effective tax rate of 33.0% and 30.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and an adjusted effective tax rate of 29.7% and 29.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

The table below presents our adjusted results of operations on a constant currency basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

(1) Reflects an adjustment to translate foreign currency results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 at a constant exchange rate of 0.73 and 0.76 Australian Dollars to U.S. Dollars, respectively, which was the average exchange rate for the same periods in 2021.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

Revenues. Consolidated revenue decreased to $263.1 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $270.1 million in the same period in the prior year, primarily due to declines in USHE enrollment. In the USHE segment for the three months ended September 30, 2022, total enrollment decreased 3% to 75,144 from 77,574 for the same period in 2021. USHE segment revenue decreased 3.3% to $185.5 million compared to $191.9 million in 2021 primarily as a result of declines in enrollment. In the Australia/New Zealand segment for the three months ended September 30, 2022, total enrollment increased 1.7% to 18,493, compared to 18,188 for the same period in 2021. Australia/New Zealand segment revenue decreased 6.2% to $61.2 million compared to $65.2 million in 2021, primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange impacts and lower revenue-per-student. In the Education Technology Services segment, revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022 increased 26.9% to $16.4 million compared to $13.0 million in 2021, primarily as a result of growth in Sophia Learning and higher employer affiliated enrollment.

Instructional and support costs. Consolidated instructional and support costs decreased to $153.2 million, compared to $153.7 million in the same period in the prior year, principally due to lower facility costs, partially offset by higher bad debt expense. Consolidated instructional and support costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 58.2% in the third quarter of 2022 from 56.9% in the third quarter of 2021.

General and administration expenses. Consolidated general and administration expenses increased to $97.8 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $95.7 million in the prior year, principally due to increased investments in branding initiatives and partnerships with brand ambassadors. Consolidated general and administration expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 37.2% in the third quarter of 2022 from 35.4% in the third quarter of 2021.

Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets decreased to $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $8.9 million in 2021, due to the finite-lived intangible assets acquired through the merger with Capella Education Company being fully amortized as of the third quarter of 2021.

Merger and integration costs. Merger and integration costs decreased to $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2021, as a result of lower integration expenses associated with the acquisition of ANZ.

Restructuring costs. Restructuring costs decreased to $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $3.3 million in 2021, primarily due to lower right-of-use lease asset and fixed asset impairment charges associated with vacating leased space and lower severance and other personnel-related expenses from employee terminations in connection with the Company's restructuring plan.

Income from operations. Consolidated income from operations increased to $7.8 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, principally due to lower amortization expense of intangible assets, restructuring costs, and merger and integration costs, partially offset by lower earnings in the USHE segment. In the USHE segment, loss from operations was $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $5.2 million of income from operations in the third quarter of 2021, primarily due to lower enrollments and increased investments in marketing initiatives. In the Australia/New Zealand segment, income from operations decreased 13.8% to $8.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2021, primarily driven by lower revenue, higher bad debt expense, and unfavorable foreign currency impacts. In the Education Technology Services segment, income from operations was $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2022 and 2021. As discussed above, revenue in the Education Technology Services segment increased in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 as a result of growth in Sophia Learning and an increase in employer affiliated enrollment; however, income from operations remained consistent due to increased investment in outreach to corporate partners in the third quarter of 2022.

Other expense. Other expense was $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2021, as a result of an increase in investment income from our limited partnership investments and an increase in interest income, partially offset by an increase in interest expense due to higher interest rates. We incurred $1.6 million of interest expense in the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021.

Provision for income taxes. Income tax expense was $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. Our effective tax rate for the quarter was 19.3%, compared to 29.9% for the same period in 2021.

Net income. Net income increased to $6.1 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 due to the factors discussed above.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

Revenues. Consolidated revenue decreased to $795.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $859.6 million in the same period in the prior year, primarily due to declines in enrollment. USHE segment revenue decreased 9.4% to $571.3 million compared to $630.6 million in 2021 primarily as a result of declines in enrollment. Australia/New Zealand segment revenue decreased 7.0% to $177.2 million compared to $190.5 million in 2021 as a result of unfavorable foreign exchange impacts, declines in enrollment, and lower revenue-per-student. In the Education Technology Services segment, revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 increased 22.5% to $47.0 million compared to $38.4 million in 2021, primarily as a result of growth in Sophia Learning and higher employer affiliated enrollment.

Instructional and support costs. Consolidated instructional and support costs decreased to $445.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $459.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, principally due to lower facility costs and bad debt expense. Consolidated instructional and support costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 56.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from 53.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

General and administration expenses. Consolidated general and administration expenses increased to $289.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $276.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, principally due to increased investments in branding initiatives and partnerships with brand ambassadors. Consolidated general and administration expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 36.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from 32.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets decreased to $11.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $47.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, due to the finite-lived intangible assets acquired through the merger with Capella Education Company being fully amortized as of the third quarter of 2021.

Merger and integration costs. Merger and integration costs decreased to $0.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $4.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as a result of lower integration expenses associated with the acquisition of ANZ.

Restructuring costs. Restructuring costs decreased to $6.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $26.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to $3.7 million of right-of-use lease asset and fixed asset impairment charges associated with vacating leased space in the first nine months of 2022, compared to $21.5 million in the comparable period in 2021, as well as higher severance and other personnel-related expenses from employee terminations in the first nine months of 2021.

Income from operations. Consolidated income from operations decreased to $43.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $46.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, principally due to lower earnings in the USHE segment, partially offset by lower amortization expense of intangible assets, restructuring costs, and merger and integration costs. USHE segment income from operations decreased 70.1% to $25.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $85.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to lower enrollments, lower revenue-per-student, and increased investments in marketing initiatives. Australia/New Zealand segment income from operations decreased 10.9% to $20.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $23.0 million of income from operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to lower revenue and unfavorable foreign currency impacts. Education Technology Services segment income from operations decreased 6.2% to $15.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $16.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 as a result of increased investment in outreach to corporate partners, partially offset by growth in Sophia Learning and an increase in employer affiliated enrollment.

Other income (expense). Other income (expense) decreased to $1.1 million of expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 from $1.1 million of income in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to a decrease in investment income from our limited partnership investments and an increase in interest expense, partially offset by an increase in interest income due to higher interest rates. We incurred $3.6 million of interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $2.7 million in nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Provision for income taxes. Income tax expense was $13.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $13.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 32.5%, compared to 29.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2022 was primarily due to a $1.4 million tax shortfall recognized through share-based payment arrangements.

Net income. Net income decreased to $28.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $33.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 due to the factors discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $288.8 million compared to $298.8 million at December 31, 2021 and $305.0 million at September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2022, most of our cash was held in demand deposit accounts at high credit quality financial institutions.

We are party to a credit facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”), which provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $350 million. The Amended Credit Facility provides us with an option, subject to obtaining additional loan commitments and satisfaction of certain conditions, to increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility or establish one or more incremental term loans (each, an “Incremental Facility”) in an amount up to the sum of (x) the greater of (A) $300 million and (B) 100% of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and noncash charges, such as stock-based compensation) calculated on a trailing four-quarter basis and on a pro forma basis, and (y) if such Incremental Facility is incurred in connection with a permitted acquisition or other permitted investment, any amounts so long as the Company's leverage ratio (calculated on a trailing four-quarter basis) on a pro forma basis will be no greater than 1.75:1.00. In addition, the Amended Credit Facility provides for a subfacility for borrowings in certain foreign currencies in an amount equal to the U.S. dollar equivalent of $150 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR or a base rate, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, depending on our leverage ratio. An unused commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% per annum, depending on our leverage ratio, accrues on unused amounts. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants related to the Amended Credit Facility as of September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, we had $141.2 million and $141.6 million, respectively, outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we paid $3.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of interest and unused commitment fees related to our Revolving Credit Facility.

Our net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $124.7 million, compared to $161.2 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in net cash from operating activities was primarily driven by lower earnings in the USHE segment, partially offset by favorable timing of payments of working capital.

Capital expenditures decreased to $32.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $33.6 million for the same period in 2021, due to the timing of capital projects.

The Board of Directors declared a regular, quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share of common stock for each of the first three quarters of 2022. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we paid a total of $44.6 million in cash dividends on our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we paid $36.9 million to repurchase common shares in the open market under our repurchase program. As of September 30, 2022, we had $213.1 million of share repurchase authorization remaining to use through December 31, 2022.

For the third quarter of 2022 and 2021, bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was 4.5% and 3.8%, respectively.

We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operating activities, and if necessary, cash borrowed under our Amended Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our requirements for at least the next 12 months. Currently, we maintain our cash primarily in demand deposit bank accounts and money market funds, which are included in cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2022 and 2021. We also hold marketable securities, which primarily include tax-exempt municipal securities and corporate debt securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we earned interest income of $1.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to the impact of interest rate changes and may be subject to changes in the market values of our future investments. We invest our excess cash in bank overnight deposits, money market funds and marketable securities. We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Earnings from investments in bank overnight deposits, money market mutual funds, and marketable securities may be adversely affected in the future should interest rates decline, although such a decline may reduce the interest rate payable on any borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. Our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. As of September 30, 2022, a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a material impact on our future earnings, fair values, or cash flows related to investments in cash equivalents or interest earning marketable securities.

At September 30, 2022, we had $141.2 million outstanding under our Amended Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR or a base rate, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, depending on our leverage ratio. An unused commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.30%, depending on our leverage ratio, accrues on unused amounts under the Amended Credit Facility. An increase in LIBOR would affect interest expense on any outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. For every 100 basis points increase in LIBOR, we would incur an incremental $3.5 million in interest expense per year assuming the entire $350 million Revolving Credit Facility was utilized.

In March 2021, the administrator of LIBOR announced that the publication of certain LIBOR settings would cease after December 2021 and publication of the remainder of the LIBOR settings will cease after June 2023. At September 30, 2022, we had no exposure to the discontinued LIBOR settings and had approximately $141.2 million of LIBOR-based debt outstanding on our Revolving Credit Facility. Our Revolving Credit Facility includes mechanisms for replacing the applicable reference rate, which we do not expect to be materially different from LIBOR.

Foreign Currency Risk

The United States Dollar (“USD”) is our reporting currency. The functional currency of each of our foreign subsidiaries is the currency of the economic environment in which the subsidiary primarily does business. Revenues denominated in currencies other than the USD accounted for 22.3% of our consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. We therefore have foreign currency risk related to these currencies, which is primarily the Australian dollar. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of foreign currencies relative to the USD may negatively affect our revenue and operating income as expressed in the USD. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the average foreign currency exchange rates would have decreased our consolidated revenues by approximately $17.7 million. In addition, the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was a decrease of $10.7 million. We do not use foreign exchange contracts or derivatives to hedge any foreign currency exposures.

a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2022. Based upon such review, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company had in place, as of September 30, 2022, effective disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company (including consolidated subsidiaries) in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which could materially affect our business, adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could cause you to suffer a partial or complete loss of your investment. There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, other than the revised risk factors included below. The risks described below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also could materially adversely affect our business. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Strayer University or Capella University could lose its eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs or be provisionally certified with respect to such participation if the percentage of its revenues derived from those programs were too high, or could be restricted from enrolling students in certain states if the percentage of the University’s revenues from federal or state programs were too high.

A proprietary institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the federal Title IV student financial aid program if it derives more than 90% of its revenues, on a cash basis, from Title IV programs for two consecutive fiscal years. A proprietary institution of higher education that violates the 90/10 Rule for any fiscal year will be placed on provisional status for up to two fiscal years. Using the formula specified in the Higher Education Act, Strayer University derived approximately 82.95% of its cash-basis revenues from these programs in 2021. Capella University derived approximately 67.06% of its cash-basis revenues from Title IV program funds in 2021. On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which amends the “90/10 Rule” to include “all federal education assistance” in the “90” side of the ratio calculation. The legislation requires the Department to conduct a negotiated rulemaking process to modify related Department regulations, which was considered by the Institutional and Programmatic Eligibility negotiated rulemaking. Meetings of this negotiated rulemaking committee occurred January-March 2022, the Department issued and received public comments on the proposed rule in July-August 2022, and the Department of Education released final 90/10 regulations on October 27, 2022. The final regulations may result in a definition of “federal education assistance” that will include tuition assistance programs offered by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to the Title IV programs already covered by the 90/10 Rule. These revisions to the 90/10 Rule will apply to institutional fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Further legislation has been introduced in both chambers of Congress that seek to modify the 90/10 Rule further, including proposals to change the ratio requirement to 85/15 (federal to nonfederal revenue). We cannot predict whether Congress will pass any of these legislative proposals. If one of the Universities were to violate the 90/10 Rule, the loss of eligibility to participate in the federal student financial aid programs would have a material adverse effect on our business. Certain states have also proposed legislation that would prohibit enrollment of their residents based on a state and federal funding threshold that is more restrictive than the federal 90/10 Rule. If such legislation were to be enacted, and the Universities were unable to meet the threshold, loss of eligibility to enroll students in certain states would have a material adverse effect on our business.

If Strayer University and Capella University fail to comply with the extensive legal and regulatory requirements for higher education institutions, they could face significant monetary or other liabilities and penalties, including loss of access to federal student loans and grants for their students.

As providers of higher education, Strayer University and Capella University are subject to extensive laws and regulation on both the federal and state levels and by accrediting agencies. In particular, the Higher Education Act and related regulations subject Strayer University, Capella University, and all other higher education institutions that participate in the various Title IV programs to significant regulatory scrutiny.

The Higher Education Act mandates specific regulatory responsibilities for each of the following components of the higher education regulatory triad: (1) the federal government through the Department of Education; (2) the accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary of Education; and (3) state education regulatory bodies.

In addition, other federal agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), and Federal Communications Commission and various state agencies and state attorneys general enforce consumer protection, calling and texting, marketing, privacy and data security, and other laws applicable to post-secondary educational institutions. Findings of noncompliance could result in monetary damages, fines, penalties, injunctions, or restrictions or obligations that could have a material adverse effect on our business. Some of these laws also include private rights of action.

On October 8, 2021, the Department of Education announced establishment of an Office of Enforcement within the Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid, designed to strengthen oversight over and enforcement against postsecondary schools that participate in federal student loan, grant, and work-study programs. The Office of Enforcement restores an office first established by the Department in 2016. The Department announced the Office of Enforcement would comprise four existing divisions: Administrative Actions and Appeals Services Group, Borrower Defense Group, Investigations Group, and Resolution and Referral Management Group. The Department intends the Office of Enforcement to coordinate with other state and federal partners, including the U.S. Department of Justice, CFPB, FTC, state attorneys general, and other state and federal partners.

On October 6, 2021 the FTC announced that it is resurrecting Penalty Offense Authority under Section 5(m) of the FTC Act (the “Act”). Under the Act, the FTC may secure penalties against entities not a party to an original proceeding if the FTC can show that the entity had actual knowledge that the conduct in question was found to be unfair or deceptive. In an effort to establish actual knowledge and create a pathway for penalties in the event of post-notice acts or practices, the FTC issued that same day an informational notice to the 70 largest for-profit schools based on enrollment and revenues. The notice included a list of acts and practices that the FTC has determined are unfair or deceptive, including but not limited to acts relating to misrepresentation of employment opportunities and other benefits, together with citation to various prior determinations from cases previously litigated by the FTC. Strayer University and Capella University received the FTC’s notice on October 7, 2021, although the FTC made clear that receipt of the notice itself does not reflect any assessment as to whether Strayer University or Capella University has engaged in deceptive or unfair conduct.

On April 4, 2022, the Company received correspondence from the CFPB, in which the CFPB took the position that it has supervisory authority over the Company as a covered person that offers or provides private education loans pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5514(a)(1)(D) and further indicated the CFPB is considering whether to cite violations based on preliminary findings that the Company may have violated the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. 5301 et seq., due to alleged student loan servicing and collections practices or policies. Specifically, the CFPB referred to Capella University and Strayer University’s historical practice of withholding official transcripts from students who were delinquent in paying amounts due, a practice which both universities discontinued prior to receipt of the correspondence. While the Company disagrees with CFPB’s position as to its supervisory authority and disputes any alleged legal or regulatory violations, SEI is cooperating with CFPB’s inquiry and responded to CFPB as requested on April 25, 2022. The CFPB subsequently sent a letter on July 8, 2022, indicating that it believed the withholding of transcripts was a violation, and requiring the Company to cease withholding transcripts for those with an outstanding balance and to take other remedial actions. The Company had already discontinued its historical practice prior to the CFPB’s notice, and informed the CFPB that it completed the remedial actions in the allotted thirty days. On April 26, 2022, the CFPB informed the Company that it intended to conduct an announced education loan exam in June 2022. The examination started on June 13, 2022. Fieldwork concluded on August 5, 2022, but the examination is ongoing. On September 12, 2022, the CFPB informed the Company of a preliminary finding related to a product that is no longer utilized, and invited the Company’s response. The Company timely responded to the CFPB’s letter, disagreeing with the preliminary finding and noting that the product to which it related is no longer utilized.

The laws, regulations, standards, and policies applicable to our business frequently change, and changes in, or new interpretations of, applicable laws, regulations, standards, or policies could have a material adverse effect on our accreditation, authorization to operate in various states, permissible activities, ability to communicate with prospective students, receipt of funds under Title IV programs, or costs of doing business. The Department of Education periodically engages in negotiated rulemaking sessions to revise regulations that govern the federal Title IV student financial aid programs. As discussed in Note 16, Regulation, in the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report under “Current Negotiated Rulemaking,” the Department of Education has convened negotiated rulemaking committees to address issues such as borrower defense to repayment, misrepresentation, arbitration proceedings, gainful employment rules, and federal government oversight into changes in ownership for institutions of higher education, among others. Certain proposals related to these issues could raise the cost of compliance for Strayer University or Capella University or require changes in the educational programs offered by Strayer University and Capella University in order to comply with new rules. We cannot predict whether the Department of Education will promulgate any regulations that would negatively affect Strayer University or Capella University.

Title IV requirements are enforced by the Department of Education and, in some instances, by private plaintiffs. If Strayer University and Capella University are found not to be in compliance with these laws, regulations, standards, or policies, they could lose access to Title IV program funds and face related monetary liability, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company.