Bridgepoint Education Reports Full Year 2014 Results

SAN DIEGO, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services, announced the results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014.

Highlights for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014:

• Revenue of $147.3 million compared to $162.2 million for the same period in 2013.
• Operating loss of $10.8 million compared to operating loss of $9.9 million for the same period in 2013.
• Net loss of $5.2 million compared to net loss of $5.1 million for the same period in 2013.
• Fully diluted loss per common share of $0.12 compared to fully diluted loss per common share of $0.10 for the same period in 2013.  Included in the fully diluted loss of $0.12 were impairment and severance charges of $14.1 million, which had an after-tax impact of $0.19 on fully diluted earnings per common share.

Highlights for the full year ended December 31, 2014:

• Total student enrollment was 55,823 compared to 63,624 at December 31, 2013.
• Revenue of $638.7 million compared to $751.4 million for 2013.
• Operating income of $14.3 million compared to $68.5 million for 2013.
• Net income of $9.7 million compared to net income of $45.9 million for 2013.
• Fully diluted earnings per common share of $0.21 compared to fully diluted earnings per common share of $0.83 for 2013.

"Ashford University's focus in 2014 was to continue implementing and refining its initiatives to strengthen academic quality and enhance the support the University provides students and alumni. These initiatives were successful at producing over 17,000 graduates in 2014 by providing a rigorous and engaging learning experience designed for our working adult population," said Andrew Clark, CEO of Bridgepoint Education.

Student Enrollment

Total student enrollment at the Company's academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, was 55,823 at December 31, 2014, compared with 63,624 students at December 31, 2013.

Financial Results

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $147.3 million, compared with revenue of $162.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013.  Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $638.7 million, compared with revenue of $751.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $10.8 million compared with operating loss of $9.9 million for the same period in 2013. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $14.3 million, compared with $68.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $5.2 million compared with net loss of $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $9.7 million, compared with net income of $45.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Fully diluted loss per common share for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $0.12 compared with fully diluted loss per common share of $0.10 for the fourth quarter of 2013.  Fully diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $0.21 compared with fully diluted earnings per common share of $0.83 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Included in the fully diluted earnings per common share of $0.21 for the year ended December 31, 2014 were impairment and severance charges of $14.1 million, which had an after-tax impact of $0.19 on fully diluted earnings per common share.

The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014, was 43.8%.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow               

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $356.5 million, compared with $356.4 million as of December 31, 2013.  The Company generated $25.2 million of cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with $85.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) today to discuss its latest financial results and recent developments. Call participants should dial 866-859-7412 (United States/Canada) or (832) 900-4623 (other countries) and request the Bridgepoint Education call or provide the conference ID 95525667.  A live broadcast of the call will also be available via the Internet at http://ir.bridgepointeducation.com and will be archived on the site for one year. 

A telephonic replay will be available at (800) 585-8367 (United States/Canada) or 404-537-3406 (other countries), passcode 95525667.  The replay will be available from Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) until April 14, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI) harnesses the latest technology to reimagine the modern student experience. Bridgepoint's technologies, such as Waypoint Outcomes, enhance the way people learn in the digital age. Bridgepoint owns two academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies. Ashford University offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs while University of the Rockies offers master's and doctoral degree programs.  Both provide progressive online platforms as well as traditional campuses in Iowa and Colorado.  Bridgepoint stands for greater access, social learning, and exposure to leading minds.

For more information, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com, www.facebook.com/BridgepointEducation, or call Paul Goodson, Associate Vice President of Investor Relations at (866) 475-0317 x2271.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding management's intentions, hopes, beliefs or expectations, and statements regarding the Company's 2015 outlook. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation:

• the failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to the Company and its institutions, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and its regulations, state laws and regulatory requirements, and accrediting agency requirements;
• adverse administrative, economic, legislative or regulatory changes affecting the Company and its institutions;
• the imposition of fines or other corrective measures against the Company's institutions;
• competition in the postsecondary education market and its potential impact on the Company's market share, recruiting costs and tuition rates;
• reputational and other risks related to potential compliance audits, regulatory actions, negative publicity or service disruptions; and
• the inability to recruit and retain students or develop new or expanded programs in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Additional information on factors that could affect the Company's performance or results is included from time to time in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 to be filed with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are made on the basis of management's good faith beliefs and assumptions regarding future events based on information available at the time the statements are made.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE Bridgepoint Education