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Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            

Investor Contact:
Heide Erickson
Capella Education Company
612.977.5172
Heide.Erickson@capella.edu

Media Contact:
Mike Buttry
Capella Education Company
612.977.5499
Mike.Buttry@capella.edu

Capella Education Company Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 28, 2014 - Capella Education Company (NASDAQ: CPLA), a provider of online post-secondary education, primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014.

“Our return to total enrollment growth is a significant milestone for Capella, demonstrating that we have the right strategies in place to successfully execute and compete,” said Kevin Gilligan, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our innovative new program offerings further differentiate Capella and strengthen our position for long-term sustainable growth.”

For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2014:

Revenues were $103.1 million, compared to $100.7 million in the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 2.4 percent.
Capella University total active enrollment increased 2.1 percent to 35,220, new enrollment increased by 11.9 percent from third quarter 2013 and early cohort persistence improved by approximately 4 percent.
Operating income was $13.2 million, compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2013. Operating margin was 12.8 percent, compared to 10.4 percent for the third quarter 2013.
Net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $7.8 million, compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2013.
Net income per diluted share was $0.62, compared to $0.48 for the same period in 2013.

For the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2014:

Revenues increased by 1.3 percent to $313.5 million, compared to $309.6 million for the same period in 2013.





Operating income for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2014 was $43.8 million, or 14.0 percent of revenue, including 2nd quarter 2014 lease amendment charges of approximately $2.7 million, compared to $43.2 million, or 13.9 percent of revenue during the same period in 2013.  
Net income was $25.6 million, including 2nd quarter 2014 lease amendment charges net of tax of approximately $1.7 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, compared to $25.2 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, for the same period in 2013.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
 
As of Sept. 30, 2014, the Company had cash and marketable securities of $160.3 million, compared to $160.2 million at Dec. 31, 2013, and no debt for the same periods.

Cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2014 was $47.5 million compared to $53.2 million in the same period a year ago.

Dividend and Share Repurchase

A quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per outstanding share of common stock was declared during the third quarter of 2014. The dividend was paid on Oct. 10, 2014.

In the third quarter 2014, the Company repurchased approximately 71,000 shares of Capella stock for total consideration of $4.3 million. The remaining authorization as of the end of the third quarter was $35.1 million.

Outlook

For the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2014, Capella University new enrollment growth is expected to be similar to year-over-year new enrollment growth in the second and third quarter 2014. Total enrollment is expected to approach 3.0 percent growth year-over-year, and consolidated revenue is expected to be in the range of 3.0 percent growth compared to fourth quarter 2013.

The consolidated operating margin is anticipated to be approximately 17.0 to 18.0 percent of total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014.

“Our third quarter performance and momentum into the fourth quarter position us well for a strong finish to the year,” said Steve Polacek, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “We are particularly pleased with our third quarter operating performance and return to total enrollment growth as we continue to invest in the future success of our learners.”

Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain information in this news release does not relate to historical financial information, including statements relating to our future prospects and our expectations regarding our revenues, enrollment, and operating performance, and may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with regard to future events, and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. The company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such





date.

Among these risks and uncertainties are any failure to materially comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to us, including compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder; complying with U.S. Department of Education rules, including those regarding incentive compensation and gainful employment; maintaining our business in accordance with regional and specialized accreditation standards and state regulatory and program approval requirements; changes in the administration, funding and availability for Title IV programs; responding to any governmental review of our business, marketing, or financial aid practices, including by any state attorneys general and/or federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; attracting and retaining high quality, academically prepared learners; responding to requests for information and complaints from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and other states; maintaining and expanding existing commercial relationships with employers and developing new such relationships; successfully growing our FlexPath programs; effectively leveraging our brand driven marketing strategy; improving our conversion rates; keeping up with advances in technology important to the online learner experience; improving our learner persistence and cohort retention rate; successfully managing our PhD completion efforts; successfully identifying and managing business partnership opportunities; effectively managing data security risks; and managing risks associated with the overall competitive environment and general economic conditions.

Other factors that could cause the company's results to differ materially from those contained in its forward-looking statements are included under, among others, the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Conference Call

Capella will discuss its third quarter 2014 results and outlook during a conference call scheduled today, Oct. 28, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time (ET). To participate in the live call, investors should dial 866.385.4179 (domestic) or 702.928.7882 (international) at 8:50 a.m. (ET), conference ID# 13061145. The webcast, including the accompanying presentation, will be available on the Capella Education Company Web site at www.capellaeducation.com. A replay of the call will be available starting on Oct. 28, 2014 through Nov. 4, 2014, at 855.859.2056 (domestic) or 404.537.3406 (international), conference ID# 13061145. It will also be archived at www.capellaeducation.com in the investor relations section for 60 days.

About Capella Education Company

Founded in 1991, Capella Education Company is a leader in online education, primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, a regionally accredited* online university. In addition, Capella Education Company offers online education through Resource Development International Ltd. (RDI), an independent provider of United Kingdom (UK) university distance learning qualifications. Capella Education Company also owns an innovative startup company called Sophia (http://www.sophia.org) - a social teaching and learning platform that integrates education with technology.

Capella University offers online graduate degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work, and bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. These academic programs are designed to help working adults advance in their careers, combining high quality, competency-based curricula with the convenience and flexibility of an online





learning format. Currently, Capella University offers 43 graduate and undergraduate degree programs with 142 specializations, including six new direct assessment delivery programs. As of Sept. 30, 2014, approximately 35,000 learners were enrolled with over 70 percent of learners enrolled in graduate degree programs. For more information about Capella Education Company, please visit http://www.capellaeducation.com. For more information about Capella University, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

Resource Development International Ltd. partners with a number of the top 100 universities in the UK to develop, validate and deliver UK higher education qualifications, predominantly through online courses. For more information, visit http://www.rdi.co.uk.

Sophia is a first-of-its-kind social education platform that offers students many ways to learn by making free, credible, academic content available to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. The site offers tens of thousands of tutorials created by hundreds of teachers and experts that are taught in a variety of ways. The platform further enhances the learning process by offering quizzes, assessing learning preferences and providing learning paths. For more information, visit www.sophia.org.

*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), http://www.ncahlc.org. Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), http://www.capella.edu.

# # #





















CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par value)
 
 
As of September 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
90,451

 
$
124,097

Marketable securities, current
36,258

 
18,342

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $6,719 at September 30, 2014 and $7,091 at December 31, 2013
17,006

 
16,919

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
11,033

 
10,548

Deferred income taxes
2,809

 
2,846

Total current assets
157,557

 
172,752

Marketable securities, non-current
33,583

 
17,740

Property and equipment, net
37,728

 
39,993

Goodwill
17,106

 
16,969

Intangibles, net
2,062

 
2,795

Other assets
1,453

 

Total assets
$
249,489

 
$
250,249

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
5,090

 
$
7,939

Accrued liabilities
29,041

 
33,164

Dividends payable
4,365

 
4,346

Deferred revenue
12,469

 
10,736

Total current liabilities
50,965

 
56,185

Deferred rent
2,598

 
3,221

Other liabilities
3,190

 
2,541

Deferred income taxes
5,674

 
6,283

Total liabilities
62,427

 
68,230

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 100,000; Issued and Outstanding shares — 12,250 at September 30, 2014 and 12,361 at December 31, 2013
122

 
124

Additional paid-in capital
109,679

 
104,546

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(473
)
 
(114
)
Retained earnings
77,734

 
77,463

Total shareholders’ equity
187,062

 
182,019

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
249,489

 
$
250,249









CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014

2013

2014

2013
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues
$
103,097


$
100,703


$
313,525


$
309,638

Costs and expenses:







Instructional costs and services
47,143


45,984


139,973


137,851

Marketing and promotional
25,509


26,489


74,383


76,091

Admissions advisory
7,019


6,796


21,092


20,294

General and administrative
10,250


10,924


31,604


32,252

Lease amendment charges




2,690



Total costs and expenses
89,921


90,193


269,742


266,488

Operating income
13,176


10,510


43,783


43,150

Other expense, net
(46
)

(238
)

(559
)

(463
)
Income before income taxes
13,130


10,272


43,224


42,687

Income tax expense
5,373


4,262


17,606


17,500

Net income
$
7,757


$
6,010


$
25,618


$
25,187

Net income per common share:







Basic
$
0.63


$
0.48


$
2.08


$
2.03

Diluted
$
0.62


$
0.48


$
2.04


$
2.01

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:







Basic
12,268


12,394


12,301


12,394

Diluted
12,505


12,591


12,545


12,522

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.35


$


$
1.05


$









CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Unaudited)
Operating activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
25,618

 
$
25,187

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for bad debts
11,232

 
11,225

Depreciation and amortization
18,016

 
19,717

Amortization of investment discount/premium
1,319

 
540

Impairment of property and equipment
277

 
229

Loss on disposal of property and equipment
77

 
46

Share-based compensation
3,927

 
3,991

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
(451
)
 
(134
)
Deferred income taxes
(537
)
 
(242
)
Payment of contingent consideration
(906
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(11,273
)
 
(11,519
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(670
)
 
(1,006
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(230
)
 
6,863

Income taxes payable
149

 
(2,536
)
Deferred rent
(623
)
 
(795
)
Deferred revenue
1,548

 
1,622

Net cash provided by operating activities
47,473

 
53,188

Investing activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(15,788
)
 
(14,801
)
Investment in partnership interest
(1,453
)
 

Purchases of marketable securities
(48,957
)
 
(22,426
)
Maturities of marketable securities
13,890

 
7,635

Net cash used in investing activities
(52,308
)
 
(29,592
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
451

 
134

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
3,663

 
2,684

Payment of dividends
(12,961
)
 

Repurchases of common stock
(14,032
)
 
(4,808
)
Payment of contingent consideration
(5,945
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
(28,824
)
 
(1,990
)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash
13

 
(42
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(33,646
)
 
21,564

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
124,097

 
93,220

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
90,451

 
$
114,784

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
Income taxes paid
$
18,327

 
$
20,283

Noncash transactions:
 
 
 
Purchase of equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
425

 
$
366

Declaration of cash dividend to be paid
$
4,346

 
$

Repurchases of common stock included in accrued liabilities
$
241

 
$







CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
Other Information
 
September 30
 
 
Enrollment by Degree (a):
2014
 
2013
 
% Change
PhD/Doctoral
9,976

 
10,540

 
(5.4
)%
Master's
15,157

 
14,478

 
4.7
 %
Bachelor's
9,138

 
8,555

 
6.8
 %
Other
949

 
930

 
2.0
 %
Total
35,220

 
34,503

 
2.1
 %

(a) Enrollment as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 is the enrollment as of the last day of classes for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.