Grand Canyon Education Projects More Than 7% Enrollment Growth in 2027

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE) projects enrollment across its three platforms will increase more than 7% in 2027. Ground enrollment is forecast to grow more than 10% in fall 2027, while online enrollment is expected to rise 5% to 6% and hybrid enrollment in the low double digits.

The company’s outlook follows a quarter in which new enrollment and total enrollment moved differently. Chairman and CEO Brian Mueller described third-quarter growth as mixed. “Total new enrollments for all 3 platforms were flat for the quarter, while total enrollments were up 5.2%. Total revenue was up 2.4%,” Mueller said.

A shortfall in new ground enrollment is expected to affect Q4 and has lowered the company’s projected operating margin. Management expects mid-single-digit growth in online new enrollments during the quarter, pointing to strong lead generation and improving conversion. That quarterly outlook concerns new online enrollments, while the 2027 projection covers online enrollment growth overall.

For fall 2027, the company cited Common App, new programs, an expanded Honors College and a law school as growth initiatives.