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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 Second Quarter 2015 Results

MINNEAPOLIS, July 28, 2015 - 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 six months ended June 30, 2015.

“We are pleased with a strong first half of 2015 and remain focused on delivering our annual 2015 growth goals,” said Kevin Gilligan, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our results demonstrate Capella’s differentiation in the market as we focus on executing our strategies for long-term growth.” 

For the three months ended June 30, 2015:

Revenues were $108.0 million, compared to $104.8 million in the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 3.0 percent.
Capella University total active enrollment increased 4.3 percent to 37,346, new enrollment increased by 2.9 percent from second quarter 2014 and early cohort persistence improved by approximately 3 percent.
Operating income was $17.1 million, compared to $15.5 million for the same period in 2014. Operating margin was 15.8 percent, compared to 14.8 percent for the second quarter 2014. The 2014 period includes a lease amendment charge of approximately $2.7 million.
Net income for the second quarter of 2015 was $10.3 million, compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2014.
Net income per diluted share was $0.83, compared to $0.72 for the same period in 2014.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015:

Revenues increased by 3.2 percent to $217.1 million, compared to $210.4 million for the same period in 2014.





Operating income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $33.9 million, or 15.6 percent of revenue, compared to $30.6 million, or 14.5 percent of revenue during the same period in 2014. The 2014 period includes a lease amendment charge of approximately $2.7 million. 
Net income was $20.4 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, compared to $17.9 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 30, 2015, the Company had cash and marketable securities of $176.3 million, compared to $167.1 million at Dec. 31, 2014, and no debt outstanding as of June 30, 2015.

Cash flow from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $40.9 million compared to $33.8 million in the same period a year ago.

Dividend and Share Repurchases

A quarterly cash dividend of $0.37 per outstanding share of common stock was declared during the second quarter of 2015. The dividend was paid on July 15, 2015.

In the second quarter 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 126,000 shares of Capella stock for total consideration of $7.1 million. The remaining authorization as of the end of the second quarter was $21.0 million.

Outlook

For the third quarter ending Sept. 30, 2015, Capella University new enrollment growth is expected to be flat to slightly down year-over-year. Total enrollment is expected to grow about 3.0 to 4.0 percent year-over-year, and consolidated revenue is expected to be up about 1.0 to 2.0 percent compared to third quarter 2014.

The consolidated operating margin is anticipated to be approximately 12.5 to 13.5 percent of total revenue for the third quarter of 2015.

“Our third quarter 2015 outlook reflects the variability in the current market environment,” said Steve Polacek, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “We will continue to balance short- and long-term investments to support our learners and drive shareholder value.”

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release does not relate to historical financial information, including statements relating to future prospects and expectations regarding our growth, revenues, enrollment, and operating performance, and should be considered 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 risks and uncertainties which could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from historical results and from results presently anticipated or projected. The company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

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 disclosures, certifications and program requirements; maintaining our business in accordance with regional and specialized accreditation standards and state regulatory and program approval requirements; adapting to changes in the administration, funding and availability for Title IV programs; any governmental review of our business, marketing, or financial aid practices, including by any state attorneys general, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education or other state regulatory bodies; successfully growing our FlexPath programs; maintaining and expanding existing commercial relationships with employers and developing new employer and business partner relationships; successfully managing our PhD completion efforts; improving our conversion rate and effectively leveraging our brand-driven marketing strategy; keeping up with advances in technology important to the online learner experience; effectively managing data security risks; improving our learner persistence and cohort retention rate; 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 second quarter 2015 results and outlook during a conference call scheduled today, July 28, 2015, 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# 75388111. The webcast, including the accompanying presentation, will be available on the Capella Education Company Web site at www.capellaeducation.com in the investor relations section. A replay of the call will be available starting on July 28 through Aug. 4, 2015, at 855.859.2056 (domestic) or 404.537.3406 (international), conference ID# 75388111. It will also be archived at www.capellaeducation.com in the investor relations section.

About Capella Education Company
Founded in 1991, Capella Education Company (http://www.capellaeducation.com) is a leader in online education, primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), a regionally accredited* online university with more than 37,000 learners as of June 30, 2015. In addition, Capella Education Company offers online education through Resource Development International Ltd. (RDI) (http://www.rdi.co.uk), an independent provider of United Kingdom (UK) university distance learning qualifications. Capella Education Company also owns Sophia (http://www.sophia.org), an innovative learning platform leveraging technology to support self-paced learning.

*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. 

# # #















CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par value)
 
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
102,654

 
$
94,003

Marketable securities, current
27,661

 
29,619

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $5,886 at June 30, 2015 and $6,558 at December 31, 2014
16,224

 
17,902

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
13,289

 
9,007

Deferred income taxes
2,822

 
2,809

Total current assets
162,650

 
153,340

Marketable securities, non-current
46,009

 
43,430

Property and equipment, net
38,300

 
37,246

Goodwill
16,865

 
16,961

Intangibles, net
1,658

 
1,927

Other assets
1,508

 
1,453

Total assets
$
266,990

 
$
254,357

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
5,276

 
$
6,832

Accrued liabilities
35,123

 
23,410

Dividends payable
4,667

 
4,622

Income taxes payable

 
709

Deferred revenue
12,163

 
11,718

Total current liabilities
57,229

 
47,291

Deferred rent
2,083

 
2,440

Other liabilities
2,909

 
3,698

Deferred income taxes
5,473

 
5,894

Total liabilities
67,694

 
59,323

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 100,000; Issued and Outstanding shares — 12,117 at June 30, 2015 and 12,243 at December 31, 2014
121

 
122

Additional paid-in capital
114,687

 
112,417

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(269
)
 
(335
)
Retained earnings
84,757

 
82,830

Total shareholders’ equity
199,296

 
195,034

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
266,990

 
$
254,357









CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015

2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues
$
108,007


$
104,832

 
$
217,081

 
$
210,428

Costs and expenses:



 
 
 
 
Instructional costs and services
47,369


45,530

 
94,430

 
92,830

Marketing and promotional
25,798


23,113

 
53,298

 
48,874

Admissions advisory
7,353


7,146

 
14,557

 
14,073

General and administrative
10,372


10,889

 
20,901

 
21,354

Lease amendment charges


2,690

 

 
2,690

Total costs and expenses
90,892


89,368

 
183,186

 
179,821

Operating income
17,115


15,464

 
33,895

 
30,607

Other income (expense), net
54


(171
)
 
(92
)
 
(513
)
Income before income taxes
17,169


15,293

 
33,803

 
30,094

Income tax expense
6,838


6,249

 
13,435

 
12,233

Net income
$
10,331


$
9,044

 
$
20,368

 
$
17,861

Net income per common share:



 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.85


$
0.74

 
$
1.67

 
$
1.45

Diluted
$
0.83


$
0.72

 
$
1.64

 
$
1.42

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:



 
 
 
 
Basic
12,187


12,293

 
12,207

 
12,317

Diluted
12,400


12,518

 
12,442

 
12,564

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.37


$
0.35

 
$
0.74

 
$
0.70









CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
Operating activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
20,368

 
$
17,861

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for bad debts
6,311

 
6,900

Depreciation and amortization
11,233

 
12,056

Amortization of investment discount/premium, net
1,134

 
817

Impairment of property and equipment

 
277

Loss on disposal of property and equipment
27

 
70

Share-based compensation
3,894

 
2,758

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
(400
)
 
(392
)
Deferred income taxes
(460
)
 
(574
)
Payment of contingent consideration

 
(906
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(4,674
)
 
(4,550
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(2,918
)
 
(235
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
8,290

 
(60
)
Income taxes payable
(2,116
)
 
605

Deferred rent
(357
)
 
(505
)
Deferred revenue
585

 
(273
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
40,917

 
33,849

Investing activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(12,343
)
 
(10,814
)
Investment in partnership interest
(57
)
 
(1,063
)
Purchases of marketable securities
(18,246
)
 
(42,093
)
Maturities of marketable securities
16,485

 
6,975

Net cash used in investing activities
(14,161
)
 
(46,995
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
400

 
392

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
1,087

 
1,638

Payment of dividends
(9,065
)
 
(8,659
)
Repurchases of common stock
(10,493
)
 
(9,926
)
Payment of contingent consideration

 
(5,945
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(18,071
)
 
(22,500
)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash
(34
)
 
4

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
8,651

 
(35,642
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
94,003

 
124,097

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
102,654

 
$
88,455

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
Income taxes paid
$
15,987

 
$
12,539

Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Purchase of equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
585

 
$
1,988

Declaration of cash dividend to be paid
$
4,561

 
$
4,354

Repurchases of common stock included in accrued liabilities
$
499

 
$








CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
Other Information
 
June 30
 
 
Enrollment by Degree (a):
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
PhD/Doctoral
10,008

 
10,524

 
(4.9
)%
Master's
16,576

 
14,989

 
10.6
 %
Bachelor's
9,803

 
9,345

 
4.9
 %
Other
959

 
933

 
2.8
 %
Total
37,346

 
35,791

 
4.3
 %

(a) Enrollment as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 is the enrollment as of the last day of classes for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.