Lincoln Educational Services Reports Second Quarter Results and Increases Outlook for Full Year 2025
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ:LINC) today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, as well as recent business developments.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial and Operational Highlights(Quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to June 30, 2024, unless otherwise noted)
Financial Performance
Revenue of $116.5 million, an increase of 13.2%, 15.1% excluding the Transitional segment
Adjusted EBITDA of $10.5 million, an increase of 68.4%
Net income of $1.6 million, compared to $0.7 million net loss
Based on strong first half performance and favorable operating trends, guidance for 2025 has been raised
Student Metrics*
Student starts up by 19.5%, or 21.8% excluding the Transitional segment
Organic student starts up by 18.6%**
Quarter-end student population up by 18.2%, or 20.6% excluding the Transitional segment
* Includes 2,764 student starts on July 1, 2025, to align with comparable student start activity in the prior year that occurred in the last week of June 2024** Excludes student starts from our programs launched in 2024 and 2025, discontinued programs, Paramus nursing program, newly opened East Point campus and the Transitional segment
A complete listing of Lincoln's non-GAAP measures is described and reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures at the end of this release.
Campus Development Activity
Nashville, TN campus relocation completed in March. Student starts and revenue performance are exceeding expectations, with two new programs set to launch in October.
Houston, TX campus received regulatory approval in June. Student enrollments are underway, with first classes expected to start in early Q4.
Levittown, PA campus relocation completed and existing automotive students already transferred to the new location in August. HVAC, electrical and welding programs to start in September.
"Our operating and financial momentum continued to build throughout the second quarter as we generated nearly 22 percent student start growth and grew revenues by more than 15 percent from campus operations, as well as increased consolidated adjusted EBITDA by 68%. As a result of our performance continuing to exceed expectations during the first half of 2025, and current operating trends, we are raising our full-year guidance," said Scott Shaw, President and CEO.
"Our growth is driven by continued rising demand for high-value career-focused training, the effective and efficient execution of our growth strategy, successful implementation of our Lincoln 10.0 hybrid teaching model, which is delivering increased instructional leverage, and ongoing improvements in our marketing efficiency.
"Campus development remains a key growth driver with our new East Point campus and our relocated Nashville campus outperforming our expectations. In August, we completed the transfer of our Philadelphia automotive campus to its new location in Levittown where we will add new programs in HVAC, welding and electrical during the third quarter. Our Houston campus has begun enrolling students for its fourth quarter opening. Looking further ahead, the Hicksville, New York campus remains on track to open during the fourth quarter of 2026, and we hope to announce another new campus development shortly.
"We believe we are exceptionally well-positioned to meet unmet market needs in up to a dozen additional markets and are actively exploring these opportunities for additional new campuses. The demand for high-value programs that train students for rewarding, long-lasting careers continues to grow, as does the need by America's corporations to fill their skills gap. Our increased outlook for 2025, the continued growth in student demand for our programs and our success with our campus development efforts positions Lincoln to exceed the longer-term 2027 targets of approximately $550 million in revenue and $90 million in adjusted EBITDA we set out last year."
2025 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
(Quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to June 30, 2024)
Revenue increased by $13.6 million, or 13.2% to $116.5 million, primarily due to a 16.0% increase in average student population, from the higher beginning of the year population and our strong start growth in both the first and second quarters of 2025.
Educational services and facilities expense increased by $1.2 million, or 2.7% to $46.8 million. This increase includes a $1.0 million reduction related to the Transitional segment, which incurred expenses in the prior year but not in the current period. On a comparable basis, educational services and facilities expense increased by $2.2 million. As a percentage of revenue, educational services and facilities expense declined to 40.2% from 44.3% in the prior year, demonstrating improved operating efficiency at our campuses as we scale operations.
Selling, general and administrative expense increased by $9.2 million, or 15.9% to $67.1 million. This includes a $1.1 million reduction related to the Transitional segment, which had expenses in the prior year but none in the current period. The increase over the prior year was primarily driven by $7.6 million or 36.5% higher administrative expense, due to higher medical claims expense, costs associated with our expanding student population and compensation expense including performance-based incentive compensation in line with improved financial performance. Additionally, although marketing expense increased slightly, our cost per student start declined 14.0% compared to the prior year period, reflecting a greater return on investment.
2025 SECOND QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS
Campus Operations SegmentRevenue increased by $15.2 million, or 15.1% to $116.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $9.1 million, or 56.4% to $25.4 million, from $16.3 million in the prior year.
Transitional SegmentDuring 2024, the Company's Summerlin, Las Vegas campus was classified in the Transitional segment. The sale of the campus was consummated on January 1, 2025. In the prior year comparable period, the Summerlin campus had revenue of $1.7 million and operating expenses of $2.2 million. As of June 30, 2025, no campuses were classified in the Transitional segment.
Corporate and OtherThis category includes unallocated expenses incurred on behalf of the entire Company. Corporate and other expenses were $16.4 million, compared to $10.7 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by higher salaries and benefits due to workforce expansion to support a larger student population and execute our growth initiatives. Additionally, medical claims increased, and performance-based incentive compensation increased in line with improved financial performance.
SIX MONTHS FINANCIAL RESULTS(Period ended June 30, 2025, compared to June 30, 2024)
Total revenue increased by 13.4% to $234.0 million
Student starts grew by 18.1%*, or 21.4%* excluding the Transitional segment
Quarter-end student population rose by 18.2%*, or 20.6%* excluding the Transitional segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 65.4% to $21.1 million
Net income of $3.5 million, compared to $0.9 million net loss
* Includes 2,764 student starts on July 1, 2025, to align with comparable student start activity in the prior year that occurred in the last week of June 2024
FULL YEAR 2025 OUTLOOK Based on the 2025 first half operating and financial results, as well as the outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company is raising its financial guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, net income, capital expenditures, and student starts as follows:
(In millions, except for student starts)
PreviousFY 2025 Guidance
UpdatedFY 2025 Guidance
Revenue
$
485
-
495
$
490
-
500
Adjusted EBITDA
$
58
-
63
1
$
60
-
65
1
Net income
$
10
-
15
$
13
-
18
Capital expenditures
$
70
-
75
$
75
-
80
Student starts
10
%
-
14
%
12
%
-
15
%
1
The guidance in this release includes references to non-GAAP operating measures. A reconciliation to the midpoint of our guidance can be reviewed below in the non-GAAP operating measures at the end of this release.
As a reminder, to provide a clearer view of the Company's underlying performance, guidance excludes non-cash stock-based compensation and one-time, non-recurring items. Additionally, it excludes pre-opening costs, as well as net operating losses from new campuses, for up to four quarters after the campus opening, or until the campus becomes profitable, whichever occurs first. In terms of relocating the Nashville and Levittown campuses, adjustments have been made to exclude pre-opening costs and relocation costs through the end of the quarter in which the relocation is completed. In the case of program replications and expansions, adjustments are made to exclude net operating losses through the quarter in which the program is launched.
CONFERENCE CALL INFO Lincoln will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss results. To access the live webcast of the conference call, please go to the Investor Overview section of Lincoln's website at http://www.lincolntech.edu. Participants may also register via teleconference at: Q2 2025 Lincoln Educational Services Earnings Conference Call. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided with a dial-in number containing a personalized PIN to access the call. Participants are requested to register at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call.
An archived version of the webcast will be accessible for 90 days at http://www.lincolntech.edu.
ABOUT LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education helping to provide solutions to America's skills gap. Lincoln offers career-oriented programs to recent high school graduates and working adults in four principal areas of study: skilled trades, automotive, health sciences and information technology. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946 and currently operates 21 campuses in 12 states under the brands Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology and Nashville Auto Diesel College. The Company was incorporated in New Jersey in 2003 as the successor-in-interest to various acquired schools including Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc. which opened its first campus in Newark, New Jersey in 1946. For more information, please go to www.lincolntech.edu.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSStatements in this press release and in oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation regarding Lincoln's business that are not historical facts, including those made in a conference call, may be "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the federal securities law. The words "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "estimate," and "continue," and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies and projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, or other aspects of the Company's operating results. The Company cautions you that these statements concern current expectations about the Company's future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, and other influences, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projects upon which the statements are based including, without limitation, impacts related to epidemics or pandemics; our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to our industry or our failure to obtain timely regulatory approvals in connection with acquisitions or a change of control of our Company; our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs for our students in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis; risks associated with cybersecurity; risks associated with changes in applicable federal laws and regulations; uncertainties regarding our ability to comply with federal and state laws and regulations, such as the 90/10 rule and prescribed cohort default rates; risks associated with the opening of new campuses; risks associated with integration of acquired schools; industry competition; our ability to execute our growth strategies; conditions and trends in our industry; general economic conditions; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Reports and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Lincoln undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
June 30,
December 31,
2025
2024
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
16,701
$
59,273
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $43,128 and $42,615 at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
47,256
42,983
Inventories
4,504
3,053
Prepaid income taxes
2,794
-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,374
4,793
Asset held for sale
-
1,150
Total current assets
79,629
111,252
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $145,468 and $141,271 at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
149,142
103,533
OTHER ASSETS:
Noncurrent receivables, less allowance of $24,726 and $22,957 at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
21,139
19,627
Deferred finance charges
354
323
Deferred income taxes, net
24,812
25,359
Operating lease right-of-use assets
132,713
136,034
Finance lease right-of-use assets
25,910
26,745
Goodwill
10,742
10,742
Other assets, net
1,325
1,387
Pension plan assets, net
1,555
1,554
Total other assets
218,550
221,771
TOTAL ASSETS
$
447,321
$
436,556
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Unearned tuition
$
28,083
$
30,631
Accounts payable
33,990
37,026
Accrued expenses
15,438
11,986
Income taxes payable
-
1,072
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
10,741
9,497
Total current liabilities
88,252
90,212
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities
134,494
138,803
Long-term portion of finance lease liabilities
30,897
29,261
Long-term debt
13,000
-
Other long-term liabilities
-
16
Total liabilities
266,643
258,292
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, no par value - authorized 100,000,000 shares at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, issued and outstanding 31,625,285 shares at June 30, 2025 and 31,462,640 shares at December 31, 2024
48,181
48,181
Additional paid-in capital
49,554
50,639
Retained earnings
82,669
79,170
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
274
274
Total stockholders' equity
180,678
178,264
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
447,321
$
436,556
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30,
June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
REVENUE
$
116,474
$
102,914
$
233,980
$
206,281
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities
46,791
45,561
94,199
88,584
Selling, general and administrative
67,061
57,865
133,965
118,359
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(256
)
604
(476
)
913
Total costs & expenses
113,596
104,030
227,688
207,856
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
2,878
(1,116
)
6,292
(1,575
)
OTHER:
Interest income
11
638
125
1,336
Interest expense
(813
)
(667
)
(1,514
)
(1,234
)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
2,076
(1,145
)
4,903
(1,473
)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES
522
(463
)
1,404
(577
)
NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
$
1,554
$
(682
)
$
3,499
$
(896
)
Basic
Net income (loss) per common share
$
0.05
$
(0.02
)
$
0.11
$
(0.03
)
Diluted
Net income (loss) per common share
$
0.05
$
(0.02
)
$
0.11
$
(0.03
)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
30,990
30,660
30,900
30,481
Diluted
31,271
30,660
31,172
30,481
LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2025
2024
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)
$
3,499
$
(896
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
7,637
5,501
Finance lease amortization
835
787
Amortization of deferred finance charges
90
57
Deferred income taxes
547
421
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
(476
)
913
Fixed asset donations
(197
)
(178
)
Provision for credit losses
25,012
25,537
Stock-based compensation expense
2,548
2,104
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable
(30,797
)
(32,977
)
Inventories
(1,451
)
603
Prepaid income taxes
(2,794
)
(5,220
)
Prepaid expenses and current assets
(3,611
)
1,154
Other assets, net
(657
)
806
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable
(9,768
)
(472
)
Accrued expenses
3,452
(2,069
)
Unearned tuition
(2,548
)
(2,578
)
Income taxes payable
(1,072
)
-
Other liabilities
1,672
(92
)
Total adjustments
(11,578
)
(5,703
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(8,079
)
(6,599
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures
(46,276
)
(12,725
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
504
9,718
Net cash used in investing activities
(45,772
)
