Covista Inc is America's healthcare educator across five accredited institutions: Chamberlain University, Walden University, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine... Show more
Covista Inc., America's largest healthcare educator, operates institutions including Chamberlain University, Walden University, and the Ross University schools across nursing, medicine, and veterinary disciplines. The company's fiscal year runs from July through June, meaning this report covers the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the three months ended in September 2026. Because enrollment trends drive future revenue, investors closely watch student counts alongside profitability. The quarter tested whether Covista's multi-year expansion could continue amid changes to federal student loan programs, which shifted some enrollment timing between intake cycles. Strong results here signal durable demand for healthcare education and support the company's "Purpose at Scale" growth strategy.
Covista reported first quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $511.5 million, a 10.7% increase from the prior-year period and above Wall Street's consensus estimate of approximately $489.4 million. Growth was broad-based across all three segments, led by Walden and the Medical and Veterinary businesses, with Chamberlain contributing even as it invests in new campuses.
Adjusted EPS was $2.19, up 25.1% year over year and well above the consensus estimate of roughly $1.83. On a GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis, net income was $67.4 million, or $1.95 per share. Adjusted net income rose 16.8% to $75.8 million, supported by a lower share count and reduced interest expense. Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.1% to $131.2 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.6%, up 140 basis points from the prior year.
Total company enrollment grew 7.6% to 104,713 students. Management raised full-year fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to a range of $2.06 billion to $2.09 billion, up from a prior midpoint of $2.07 billion, and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $9.00 to $9.20, roughly $9.10 at the midpoint. One area to note: free cash flow margin came in at 14.9%, down from 24.8% a year earlier, reflecting continued investment in growth initiatives.
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Shares of Covista edged higher by roughly 1.2% in the immediate aftermath of the release, reflecting a broadly positive but measured response to a quarter that topped both revenue and profit expectations while raising full-year guidance. The muted magnitude of the move suggests investors had already priced in much of the company's momentum, though the enrollment durability and margin expansion offered reassurance about the quality of growth. Sentiment heading into the report had been supported by a streak of estimate beats, and the confirmation of a 13th consecutive quarter of enrollment growth reinforced confidence in the underlying demand story, even as attention turned to the modest decline in free cash flow margin.
Following the beat-and-raise quarter, investors will likely focus on whether Covista can sustain its enrollment trajectory through the remainder of fiscal 2027. Management noted that some students accelerated their start dates ahead of changes to federal loan programs, which shifted timing between the May and September intake cycles. As a result, the company emphasized that the two periods should be viewed together, and investors will be watching to confirm the blended trend remains healthy.
Margin expansion will be another key theme. The adjusted EBITDA margin improved 140 basis points, but free cash flow margin declined as the company funds strategic initiatives, including new Chamberlain campuses and enterprise technology investments such as an AI-powered classroom. Monitoring how these investments translate into enrollment efficiency and long-term profitability will be central to the narrative.
Partnerships with health systems such as Advocate Health and SSM Health also represent a growth lever, offering a more durable enrollment pipeline at a lower cost of acquisition. Finally, regulatory and policy developments around federal student loans and healthcare education funding remain important external factors that could influence student demand and, in turn, revenue and earnings over the coming quarters.
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