Exhibit 99.1
2U Reports Results for Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2021
Delivers revenue growth of 22% for the full year
LANHAM, Md. — February 9, 2022 — 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a global leader in education technology, today reported financial and operating results for the full-year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.
Results for Full-Year 2021 Compared to Full-Year 2020
| • | Revenue increased 22% to $945.7 million |
| • | Degree Program Segment revenue increased 22% to $592.3 million |
| • | Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 23% to $353.4 million |
| • | Net loss improved $21.7 million to $194.8 million, or $2.61 per share |
Non-GAAP Results for Full-Year 2021 Compared to Full-Year 2020
| • | Adjusted EBITDA improved $50.5 million to $66.6 million |
| • | Adjusted net loss improved $16.1 million to $47.6 million, or $0.64 per share |
Results for Fourth Quarter 2021 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2020
| • | Revenue increased 13% to $243.6 million |
| • | Degree Program Segment revenue increased 17% to $152.4 million |
| • | Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 8% to $91.2 million |
| • | Net loss increased $29.6 million to $67.3 million, or $0.89 per share |
Non-GAAP Results for Fourth Quarter 2021 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2020
| • | Adjusted EBITDA improved $2.2 million to $21.0 million |
| • | Adjusted net loss increased $10.8 million to $14.9 million, or $0.20 per share |
“Our strong 2021 results were led by healthy revenue growth in both our degree and alternative credential business, with demand for our undergraduate offerings particularly compelling,” said Christopher “Chip” Paucek, 2U’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “With the closing of the edX transaction in November 2021, we are laser focused on transforming 2U into the leading global education platform company, positioned to drive powerful societal impact and superior value for all our stakeholders, by delivering learners affordable, flexible, and career-relevant online education offerings, while helping universities and businesses strengthen their institutions for the digital age.”
Paul Lalljie, 2U’s Chief Financial Officer, added, “We ended 2021 nicely, capping off a strong year. We closed out the year with double-digit revenue growth and continued margin improvement. Additionally, we completed our transformational acquisition of edX in the fourth quarter and its successful integration is a key priority for us. Our outlook for 2022 reflects a disciplined growth strategy and continued progress towards profitability, which is prudent given the digital marketing environment. With the addition of edX and our transition to a platform company, we have established a strategic and financial framework for achieving our mid-term goals and creating shareholder value.”
Discussion of 2021 Results
Revenue for the year totaled $945.7 million, a 22% increase from $774.5 million in 2020. This increase was driven by a 23% increase in Alternative Credential Segment revenue to $353.4 million, primarily due to an increase in the average revenue per full course equivalent (“FCE”) enrollment of 15% resulting from a higher proportion of boot camp offerings in operation, and a 22% increase in Degree Program Segment revenue to $592.3 million, primarily due to growth in FCE enrollments of 39,102, or 20%. On a year-over-year basis, total FCE enrollments increased 16% to 323,329.
Revenue for the fourth quarter totaled $243.6 million, a 13% increase from $215.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. This increase was driven by a 17% increase in Degree Program Segment revenue to $152.4 million, primarily due to an increase in the average revenue per FCE enrollment of 16%, and an 8% increase in Alternative Credential Segment revenue to $91.2 million, primarily due to an increase in the average revenue per FCE enrollment of 13%. Total average revenue per FCE enrollment increased by 14% over the prior year period to $3,041.
Costs and expenses for the year totaled $1.1 billion, a 17% increase from $953.5 million in 2020. This increase was primarily driven by increased operational expense to support revenue growth, including the acquisition of edX.
Costs and expenses for the fourth quarter totaled $293.3 million, a 20% increase from $245.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily driven by increased operational expense to support revenue growth, including the acquisition of edX.