10-Q

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2021

☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from _____ to ______

Commission File Number: 1-31923

 UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	86-0226984
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4225 East Windrose Drive, Suite 200

Phoenix, Arizona 85032

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(623) 445-9500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value	UTI	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes   þ    No ¨  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer þ
Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ☐
	Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  þ

At January 31, 2022, there were 32,970,033 shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock.

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021

 

		Page
		Number
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		ii
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	5
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	36
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	36
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	38
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	38
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	38
Item 3.	Defaults upon Senior Securities	38
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	38
Item 5.	Other Information	38
Item 6.	Exhibits	38
SIGNATURES		40

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation and availability of resources and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public as well as verbal forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions (including the negative form of such expressions) intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, do not strictly relate to historical or current facts, any of which may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in our forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

•failure of our schools to comply with the extensive regulatory requirements for school operations;

•our failure to maintain eligibility for federal student financial assistance funds;

•continued Congressional examination of the for-profit education sector;

•a disruption in our ability to process student loans under the Federal Direct Loan Program;

•regulatory investigations of, or actions commenced against, us or other companies in our industry;

•the effect of public health pandemics, epidemics or outbreak, including COVID-19;

•changes in the state regulatory environment or budgetary constraints;

•our failure to realize the expected benefits of our acquisition of MIAT College of Technology;

•our failure to successfully integrate MIAT College of Technology’s program offerings into our current program offerings;

•our failure to improve underutilized capacity at certain of our campuses;

•enrollment declines or challenges in our students’ ability to find employment as a result of macroeconomic conditions;

•our failure to maintain and expand existing industry relationships and develop new industry relationships with our industry customers;

•our ability to update and expand the content of existing programs and develop and integrate new programs in a cost-effective manner while maintaining positive student outcomes;

•our failure to effectively identify, establish and operate additional schools, programs or campuses;

•the effect of our principal stockholder owning a significant percentage of our capital stock, and thus being able to influence certain corporate matters and the potential in the future to gain substantial control over our company;

•the impact of certain holders of our Series A Preferred Stock owning a significant percentage of our capital stock, their ability to influence and control certain corporate matters and the potential for future dilution to holders of our common stock;

•loss of our senior management or other key employees;

•failure to comply with the restrictive covenants and our ability to pay the amounts when due under the Credit Agreement; and

•risks related to other factors discussed in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 2, 2021 (the “2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

The factors above are not exhaustive, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions. Many events beyond our control may determine

ii

whether results we anticipate will be achieved. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the factors discussed under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You should bear this in mind as you consider forward-looking statements.

Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the documents that we incorporate by reference herein, by these cautionary statements. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

iii

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	99,513	$	133,721
Restricted cash	11,544		12,256
Receivables, net	14,796		17,151
Notes receivable, current portion	5,522		5,538
Prepaid expenses	7,584		6,658
Other current assets	8,325		8,068
Total current assets	147,284		183,392
Property and equipment, net	133,061		122,051
Goodwill	18,026		8,222
Intangible assets	16,302		124
Notes receivable, less current portion	32,116		30,586
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	177,380		159,075
Other assets	9,369		9,120
Total assets	$	533,538	$	512,570
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	47,903	$	54,397
Dividends payable	1,323		—
Deferred revenue	50,810		57,648
Accrued tool sets	3,433		3,292
Operating lease liability, current portion	16,376		14,075
Long term debt, current portion	884		876
Other current liabilities	2,468		2,430
Total current liabilities	123,197		132,718
Deferred tax liabilities, net	1,959		674
Operating lease liability	171,325		153,228
Long-term debt	29,636		29,850
Other liabilities	4,814		7,570
Total liabilities	330,931		324,040
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 32,989 and 32,915 shares issued	3		3
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 700 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of $100 per share	—		—
Paid-in capital - common	142,719		142,314
Paid-in capital - preferred	68,853		68,853
Treasury stock, at cost, 82 shares	(365)		(365)
Retained deficit	(8,497)		(21,996)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(106)		(279)
Total shareholders’ equity	202,607		188,530
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	533,538	$	512,570

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	105,075	$	76,125
Operating expenses:
Educational services and facilities	47,901		39,331
Selling, general and administrative	43,596		36,019
Total operating expenses	91,497		75,350
Income from operations	13,578		775
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	12		54
Interest expense	(233)		(2)
Other income, net	118		282
Total other (expense) income, net	(103)		334
Income before income taxes	13,475		1,109
Income tax benefit (expense) (See Note 15)	1,347		(26)
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Preferred stock dividends	1,323		1,313
Net income (loss) available for distribution	$	13,499	$	(230)
Earnings per share (See Note 18 ):
Net income (loss) per share - basic	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	32,849		32,658
Diluted	33,572		32,658

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2021		2020
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	173		—
Comprehensive income	$	14,995	$	1,083

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Common Stock			Preferred Stock			Paid-in Capital - Common		Paid-in Capital - Preferred		Treasury Stock			Retained Deficit		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount						Shares	Amount
Balance as of September 30, 2021	32,915	$	3	700	$	—	$	142,314	$	68,853	(82)	$	(365)	$	(21,996)	$	(279)	$	188,530
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		14,822		—		14,822
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	111	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(37)	—		—	—		(301)		—		—	—		—		—		(301)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		706		—		—	—		—		—		706
Preferred stock dividends	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(1,323)		—		(1,323)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		—		173		173
Balance as of December 31, 2021	32,989	$	3	700	$	—	$	142,719	$	68,853	(82)	$	(365)	$	(8,497)	$	(106)	$	202,607

	Common Stock			Preferred Stock			Paid-in Capital - Common		Paid-in Capital - Preferred		Treasury Stock			Retained Deficit		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount						Shares	Amount
Balance as of September 30, 2020	32,730	$	3	700	$	—	$	141,002	$	68,853	(82)	$	(365)	$	(32,971)	$	—	$	176,522
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		1,083		—		1,083
Cumulative effect from adoption of ASC 326	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		1,644		—		1,644
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	66	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		—		—		—
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(29)	—		—	—		(178)		—		—	—		—		—		(178)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		548		—		—	—		—		—		548
Preferred stock dividends	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(1,313)		—		(1,313)
Balance as of December 31, 2020	32,767	$	3	700	$	—	$	141,372	$	68,853	(82)	$	(365)	$	(31,557)	$	—	$	178,306

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,679		3,282
Amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases	4,472		4,445
Bad debt expense	560		389
Stock-based compensation	706		548
Deferred income taxes	(1,893)		—
Training equipment credits earned, net	(147)		10
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	173		—
Other (losses) gains, net	(148)		(139)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	4,920		8,108
Prepaid expenses	(590)		(1,651)
Other assets	(29)		(139)
Notes receivable	(1,514)		(884)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8,853)		(8,416)
Deferred revenue	(8,666)		1,922
Income tax receivable	—		2,783
Accrued tool sets and other current liabilities	486		(234)
Operating lease liability	(2,567)		(5,301)
Other liabilities	(2,955)		1,977
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,456		7,783
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired	(26,142)		—
Purchase of property and equipment	(10,793)		(47,293)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	1		6
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities	—		9,965
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	75		73
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,859)		(37,249)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on term loan and finance leases	(216)		(32)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(301)		(178)
Net cash used in financing activities	(517)		(210)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(34,920)		(29,676)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	133,721		76,803
Restricted cash, beginning of period	12,256		12,116
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	145,977		88,919
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	99,513		44,212
Restricted cash, end of period	11,544		15,031
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	111,057	$	59,243

5

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes refunded	$	—	$	(19)
Interest paid	223		2
Training equipment obtained in exchange for services	221		141
Depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services	238		317
Accounts payable and accrued expenses for capital expenditures	3,651		1,547
Dividends payable	1,323		1,313
CARES Act funds received for student emergency grants (See Note 21)	2,816		—
CARES Act funds disbursed for student emergency grants (See Note 21)	(2,900)		—
CARES Act funds received for institutional costs	—		880

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Nature of the Business

Founded in 1965, with approximately 250,000 graduates in its history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (“we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading provider of transportation and technical training programs. As of December 31, 2021, we offered certificate, diploma or degree programs at 14 campuses across the United States under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (“UTI”), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (collectively, “MMI”), NASCAR Technical Institute (“NASCAR Tech”), and MIAT College of Technology (“MIAT”). Additionally, we offer manufacturer specific advanced training (“MSAT”) programs, including student-paid electives, at our campuses and manufacturer or dealer sponsored training at certain campuses and dedicated training centers.

We work closely with over 35 original equipment manufacturers and industry brand partners to understand their needs for qualified service professionals. Revenues generated from our schools consist primarily of tuition and fees paid by students. To pay for a substantial portion of their tuition, the majority of students rely on funds received from federal financial aid programs under Title IV Programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”), as well as from various veterans’ benefits programs. For further discussion, see Note 21 on “Government Regulation and Financial Aid” included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 2, 2021 (the “2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

We offer the majority of our programs in a blended learning model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. This blended learning format has allowed us to continue to offer our programs to our students during the COVID-19 pandemic and aligns with an increasing trend of online education being offered as individuals seek more flexibility and life-long learning opportunities. On-campus labs are designed to meet or exceed the current national guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) as well as state and local mandates, while still meeting our accreditation and curriculum requirements.

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2021. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Other than described below, there have been no material changes or developments in our significant accounting policies or evaluation of accounting estimates and underlying assumptions or methodologies from those disclosed in Note 2 of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New Significant Accounting Policy for Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of August 1, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. Under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, to evaluate the impairment of goodwill, we first assess qualitative factors, such as deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market

7

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

conditions, adverse changes in the applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances, to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, we assess the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were greater or less than the carrying values. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount based on our qualitative assessment, or that a qualitative assessment should not be performed, we proceed with the quantitative impairment tests to compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of its net assets. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We believe the most critical assumptions and estimates in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units include, but are not limited to, future tuition revenues, operating costs, working capital changes, capital expenditures and a discount rate. The assumptions used in determining our expected future cash flows consider various factors such as historical operating trends particularly in student enrollment and pricing and long-term operating strategies and initiatives. There were no indicators of impairment for our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021.

We also have definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.

See Note 8 and Note 9 for additional details on our goodwill and intangible assets.

Reclassifications

Due to the acquisition of MIAT on November 1, 2021, which is described in further detail in Note 4, we added a new line to the condensed consolidated balance sheet: “Intangible Assets.” We have presented the intangible assets arising from the MIAT acquisition as well as the previously recorded intangible assets in this line. As of September 30, 2021, $0.1 million of intangible assets was reclassified from “Other assets” to “Intangible assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for comparable presentation.

Note 3 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective in Fiscal 2022

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). The amendments in ASU 2019-12 simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. We have evaluated the new guidance and determined that there is no material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or financial statement disclosures.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). The amendments in ASU 2021-08 require that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers (“ASC 606”). At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with ASC 606 as if it had originated the contracts. To achieve this, an acquirer may assess how the acquiree applied ASC 606 to determine what to record for the acquired revenue contracts. Generally, this should result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements (if the acquiree financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2021-08 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2021-08 is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. Due to the MIAT acquisition on November 1, 2021, we have elected to early adopt ASU 2021-08 as of October

8

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

1, 2021 and have applied the guidance in ASU 2021-08 to the deferred revenue recorded for MIAT. See Note 4 for further information on the acquisition of MIAT.

Other

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. This new guidance only applies to contracts and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 do not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022. Given the interest rate for our term loan (which is further described in Note 13) references LIBOR, we are currently evaluating the new reference rate reform practical expedients and will consider adopting this guidance when we are required to modify our contract for the discontinuation of LIBOR.

Note 4 - Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology

On November 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition contemplated by the previously announced Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 29, 2021, by and among UTI, HCP Ed Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”), HCP Ed Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Seller (“HCP”), and Michigan Institute of Aeronautics, Inc. d/b/a MIAT, a Michigan corporation and wholly subsidiary of HCP. MIAT is a post-secondary school that offers vocational and technical certificates and degrees across aviation maintenance, energy technology, wind energy technology, robotics and automation, non-destructive testing, heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVACR”), and welding disciplines. HCP is MIAT’s holding company that owns no assets other than the issued and outstanding shares of MIAT.

The acquisition is part of our growth and diversification strategy and will allow us to expand MIAT programs throughout UTI brand campuses and extend UTI’s presence and programs into the Canton, MI market where MIAT has been for over 50 years. Other expected synergies include operating and purchasing cost efficiencies and broadening the opportunity for student growth at the acquired MIAT campuses by leveraging our high school and national marketing and admissions infrastructure.

Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of HCP from the Seller for $26.0 million base purchase price plus $2.4 million working capital surplus for total cash consideration paid of $28.4 million. As a result, HCP is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of UTI and MIAT remains as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HCP. The consideration paid was funded by available operating cash.

In connection with this acquisition, we incurred total transaction costs of $1.4 million of which $0.6 million were incurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and $0.8 million during the year ended September 30, 2021. In both periods, these costs are included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The results of operations for MIAT were not material to our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the two months ended December 31, 2021.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase price was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on our preliminary valuation estimates of the fair values as of the acquisition date. The acquisition accounting allocation is preliminary and subject to adjustments for the final working capital adjustments and tax analysis, which may result in potential adjustments to the carrying value of the respective recorded assets and liabilities, and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill.

9

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price at November 1, 2021 is summarized as follows:

Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,301
Accounts receivable, net	3,228
Prepaid expenses	268
Other current assets	507
Property and equipment	3,043
Goodwill	9,804
Intangible assets	16,200
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	15,320
Other assets	85
Total assets acquired	$	50,756
Less: Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(1,799)
Deferred revenue	(1,828)
Operating lease liability, current portion	(1,005)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(3,178)
Operating lease liability	(14,503)
Total liabilities assumed	(22,313)
Net assets acquired	$	28,443

The goodwill of $9.8 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of the growth and operating synergies expected from integrating MIAT into UTI. The total amount of goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is approximately $0.6 million. See Note 8 for additional details on goodwill.

The preliminary purchase price allocation requires subjective estimates that, if incorrectly estimated, could be material to our consolidated financial statements including the amount of depreciation and amortization expense. The fair value of the tangible assets was estimated using the cost approach. The intangible assets acquired, which primarily consists of the accreditations and regulatory approvals, trademarks and trade names, and curriculum, were valued using different valuation techniques depending upon the nature of the intangible asset acquired. The accreditations and regulatory approvals were valued using the multiperiod excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) under the income approach. The MPEEM is a variation of discounted cash-flow analysis. Rather than focusing on the whole entity, the MPEEM isolates the cash flows that can be associated with a single intangible asset and measures fair value by discounting them to present value. The trademarks and trade names were valued using the relief from royalty method. The value of the trade name encompasses all items necessary to generate revenue utilizing the trade name. The curriculum was valued using the cost approach. See Note 9 for further details on the intangible assets recorded. As previously discussed in Note 3, we early adopted ASU 2021-08 and applied the new guidance when recording the initial deferred revenue.

Pro forma financial information is not presented as the fiscal 2021 revenues and earnings of MIAT are not material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations. MIAT’s principal business is providing postsecondary education and is included in our “Postsecondary Education” reporting unit disclosed in Note 19 on Segments. MIAT’s corporate expenses are allocated to “Postsecondary Education” and the “Other” category based on compensation expense.

10

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 5 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Nature of Goods and Services

Postsecondary Education

Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in ASC 606. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our UTI programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks while our MIAT programs are completed in 30 to 104 weeks. Our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months.

Additionally, certain students participate in a proprietary loan program that extends repayment terms for their tuition.  We purchase said loans from the lender and, based on historical collection rates, believe a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on the amount we expect to collect, and we recognize these revenues ratably over the term of the course or program offered.

Other

We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs.

We provide postsecondary education and other services in the same geographical market, the United States. The impact of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is consistent among our various postsecondary education programs. See Note 19 for disaggregated segment revenue information.

Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to our rights to consideration for a student’s progress through our training program in relation to our services performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when the rights become unconditional. Currently, we do not have any contract assets that have not transferred to a receivable. Our deferred revenue is considered a contract liability and primarily relates to our enrollment agreements where we received payments for tuition but we have not yet delivered the related training programs to satisfying the related performance obligations. The advance consideration received from students or Title IV funding is deferred revenue until the training program has been delivered to the students.

The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue resulting from our enrollment agreements with students:

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$	46,582	$	46,489
Deferred revenue	50,810		57,648

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the deferred revenue balance included decreases for revenues recognized during the period and increases related to new students who started their training programs during the period.

11

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers:

Level 1:    Defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:    Defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Any transfers of investments between levels occurs at the end of the reporting period. Assets measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	62,104	$	62,104	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	37,638		—		—		37,638
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	99,742	$	62,104	$	—	$	37,638

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	September 30, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	62,100	$	62,100	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	36,124		—		—		36,124
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	98,224	$	62,100	$	—	$	36,124

(1) Money market funds and other highly liquid investments with maturity dates less than 90 days are reflected as “Cash and cash equivalents” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

(2) Notes receivable relate to our proprietary loan program.

12

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	Depreciable Lives (in years)	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Land	—	$	8,355	$	8,355
Buildings and building improvements	3-35	71,048		71,036
Leasehold improvements	1-28	64,813		63,502
Training equipment	3-10	91,911		91,191
Office and computer equipment	3-10	32,207		31,718
Curriculum development	5	19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use	1-5	12,540		12,524
Vehicles	5	1,409		1,436
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	2-3	215		215
Construction in progress	—	19,494		10,171
		321,684		309,840
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(188,623)		(187,789)
		$	133,061	$	122,051

Note 8 - Goodwill

Our goodwill balance of $18.0 million as of December 31, 2021 represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The changes in the carrying value of goodwill are presented in the table below.

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,222	$	8,222
Additions to Goodwill for acquisition of MIAT	$	9,804	—
Balance at end of period	$	18,026	$	8,222

Of the $18.0 million recorded as goodwill as of December 31, 2021, $8.2 million resulted from the acquisition of our motorcycle and marine education business in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and $9.8 million relates to the acquisition of MIAT as of November 1, 2021 as previously described in Note 4. All of the goodwill relates to our Postsecondary Education reportable operating segment.

Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment, which may result from the deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired businesses, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances. Historically, this testing has been performed as of September 30 of each fiscal year. Effective as of October 1, 2021, we determined that our goodwill will be tested annually for impairment as of August 1 and more frequently if events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We do not consider this change to be material and believe that the timing is preferable as it allows additional time to complete the annual assessment in advance of the annual reporting deadline. This change in assessment date did not delay, accelerate, or cause avoidance of a potential impairment charge. There were no indicators of goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2021.

13

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 9 - Intangible Assets

The following table provides the gross carrying value, accumulated amortization, and remaining useful life for intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2021:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Remaining Useful Life (Years)
Accreditations and regulatory approvals - MIAT	$	12,800	$	—	$	12,800	Indefinite
Trademarks and trade names - MIAT	3,000		—		3,000		Indefinite
Curriculum - MIAT	400		(13)		387		4.83
Non-compete agreement and trade name	442		(327)		115		3.33
Total	$	16,642	$	(340)	$	16,302	4.47

Of the $16.6 million recorded as intangible assets as of December 31, 2021, $16.2 million relates to the MIAT acquisition completed on November 1, 2021 as previously described in Note 4. The remaining weighted average useful lives shown are calculated based on the net book value and remaining amortization period of each respective intangible asset. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.

As discussed in our new significant accounting policy on intangible assets in Note 2, our indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed at least annually for impairment as of August 1, or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment. There were no indicators of impairment for our indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021.

Note 10 - Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

In 2012, we invested $4.0 million to acquire an equity interest of approximately 28% in a joint venture (“JV”) related to the lease of our Lisle, Illinois campus facility. In connection with this investment, we do not possess a controlling financial interest as we do not hold a majority of the equity interest, nor do we have the power to make major decisions without approval from the other equity member. Therefore, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, this investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We recognize our proportionate share of the JV's net income or loss during each accounting period and any return of capital as a change in our investment.

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following and is included within “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,665	28.0	%	$	4,627	28.0	%

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,627	$	4,494
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	113		107
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(75)		(73)
Balance at end of period	$	4,665	$	4,528

14

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 11 - Leases

As of December 31, 2021, we leased 11 of our 14 campuses and our corporate headquarters under non-cancelable operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses and requirements to pay other fees associated with the leases. The facility leases have original lease terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and expire at various dates through 2036. In addition, the leases commonly include lease incentives in the form of rent abatements and tenant improvement allowances. We sublease certain portions of unused building space to third parties, which as of December 31, 2021, resulted in minimal income. All of the leases, other than those that may qualify for the short-term scope exception of 12 months or less, are recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Some of the facility leases are subject to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes to the CPI, changes to the CPI are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred. Many of our lease agreements include options to extend the lease, which we do not include in our minimum lease terms unless they are reasonably certain to be exercised. There are no early termination with penalties, residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants imposed by our facility leases.

The components of lease expense are included in “Educational services and facilities” and “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, with the exception of interest on lease liabilities, which is included in “Interest expense.”

The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2021		2020
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,363	$	6,132
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	18		32
Interest on lease liabilities	1		2
Variable lease expense	1,091		907
Sublease income	(59)		(123)
Total net lease expense	$	7,414	$	6,950

(1)     Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	177,380	$	159,075
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	76		94
Total leased assets		$	177,456	$	159,169

15

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	16,376	$	14,075
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, current portion	74		73
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	171,325		153,228
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt	5		23
Total lease liabilities		$	187,780	$	167,399

(1)     Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	9.49		9.37
Finance leases	1.06		1.32
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.02	%	4.31	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	3.08	%

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2021		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,567	$	5,301
Financing cash flows from finance leases	18		32
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	7,457	$	78
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Excludes the operating leases recorded for the MIAT acquisition discussed in Note 4.

16

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2021
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2022	$	15,520	$	56
2023	23,504		24
2024	23,350		—
2025	23,697		—
2026	23,570		—
2027 and thereafter	116,567		—
Total lease payments	226,208		80
Less: interest	(38,507)		(1)
Present value of lease liabilities	187,701		79
Less: current lease liabilities	(16,376)		(74)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	171,325	$	5

Note 12 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Accounts payable	$	11,632	$	13,702
Accrued compensation and benefits	23,294		29,506
Other accrued expenses	12,977		11,189
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	47,903	$	54,397

Note 13 - Debt

	December 31, 2021					September 30, 2021
	Interest Rate		Maturity Date	Carrying Value of Debt (4)		Carrying Value of Debt (4)
Term Loan(1)	2.10	%	May 2028	$	30,687	$	30,886
Finance leases(2)	3.08	%	Various	79		96
Total debt				30,766		30,982
Debt issuance costs presented with debt (3)				(246)		(256)
Total debt, net				30,520		30,726
Less: current portion of long-term debt				(884)		(876)
Long-term debt				$	29,636	$	29,850

(1)     Interest on the Term Loan (as defined below) accrues at annual rate equal to the LIBOR plus 2.0%.

(2)    Our finance leases include finance lease arrangements related to various equipment with a weighted-average annual interest rate of approximately 3.08%, which mature in varying installments between 2022 and 2023. See Note 11 for additional details on our finance leases.

(3)    The unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 relate entirely to the Term Loan.

(4)    Our Term Loan and finance leases bear interest at rates commensurate with market rates and therefore the respective carrying values approximate fair value (Level 2).

17

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Term Loan

In connection with the Avondale, Arizona building purchase in December 2020, we entered into a Credit Agreement with Fifth Third Bank, National Association (the “Lender”) on May 12, 2021 in the maximum principal amount of $31.2 million with a maturity of seven years (the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.0%. Principal and interest payments are due monthly. The Term Loan is secured by a first priority lien on our Avondale, Arizona property, including all land and improvements. Additionally, on May 12, 2021, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Lender that effectively fixes the interest rate on 50% of the principal amount of the Term Loan, or approximately $15.6 million, at 3.5% for the entire loan term. See Note 14 below for further discussion on the interest rate swap.

We are subject to customary affirmative and negative covenants under the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, certain reporting obligations and certain limitations on restricted payments, and limitations on liens, encumbrances and indebtedness. The Term Loan is also subject to certain financial maintenance covenants. The debt service coverage ratio shall not be less than 1.25 to 1.00 and is defined as the ratio of the sum of consolidated income (loss) for the year, to the extent deducted in determining income for such period, before income taxes, interest expense, amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges including net stock-based compensation, fees and expenses related to potential acquisitions and expansion of operations and certain non-recurring charges, including relating to restructuring, business optimization and diversification strategy, less any extraordinary non-recurring gains, interest income and non-cash gains (“Consolidated EBITDA”) (less dividends payable on our Series A Preferred Stock) and other extraordinary items to the current portion of long-term debt and interest paid during the period being measured (which commences on September 30, 2021 and is tested annually thereafter on a trailing 12-month basis). The funded debt to Consolidated EBITDA ratio is required to be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (which commences on June 30, 2021 and is tested quarterly thereafter on a trailing 12-month basis). Beginning on May 12, 2024, the Lender may request new appraisals of the Avondale property in order to maintain the ratio of the amortized loan balance to the value of the location at 70%, the approximate ratio that existed at May 12, 2021. Events of default under the Credit Agreement include, among others, the failure to make payments when due, breach of covenants (including certain financial maintenance covenants) and breach of representations or warranties. If we fail to meet the minimum debt service coverage ratio, loan-to-value or debt yield and fail to cure such non-compliance within a time period acceptable to the Lender, we will be in default. As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

Debt Maturities

Scheduled principal payments due on our debt for the remainder of 2022 and for each year through the period ended September 30, 2026, and thereafter were as follows at December 31, 2021:

Maturity	Term Loan		Finance Leases		Total
Remainder of 2022	$	605	$	55	$	660
2023	832		24		856
2024	861		—		861
2025	892		—		892
2026	924		—		924
Thereafter	26,573		—		26,573
Subtotal	30,687		79		30,766
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)		—		(246)
Total	$	30,441	$	79	$	30,520

18

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 14- Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to market risks, including the effect of changes in interest rates. We may enter into derivative financial instruments to offset these underlying market risks.

On May 12, 2021, in connection with the Term Loan discussed in Note 13, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Lender that effectively fixes the interest rate on 50% of the principal amount of the Term Loan, or approximately $15.6 million, at 3.5% for the entire loan term, or seven years (the “Swap”). On May 12, 2021, the Swap was designated as an effective cash flow hedge for accounting and tax purposes.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For cash flow hedges, we report the effective portion of the gain or loss as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and reclassify it to “Interest expense” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations over the corresponding period of the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative financial instrument is recognized in “Interest expense” at the time the ineffectiveness occurs. To the extent the hedged forecasted interest payments on debt related to our interest rate swap is paid off, the remaining balance in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” is recognized in “Interest expense” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Of the net amount of the existing losses that are reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of December 31, 2021, we estimate that $0.2 million will be reclassified to “Interest expense” within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2021, the notional amount of our Swap was approximately $15.3 million.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the fair value of our Swap (Level 2) which is designated as a cash flow hedge and the related classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021:

	Interest Rate Swap
Other assets	43
Total fair value of assets designated as hedging instruments	$	43
Other current liabilities	$	149
Total fair value of liabilities designated as hedging instruments	$	149

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The table below presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting for our Swap on “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of December 31, 2021:

	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative		Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Interest Rate Swap	$	118	Interest expense	$	(55)

19

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

The table below presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting for our Swap on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021:

	Interest Expense
Interest Rate Swap
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into income	$	(55)

Note 15 - Income Taxes

Our income tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.3 million, or (10.0)% of pre-tax income, compared to income tax expense of $26 thousand, or 2.3% of pre-tax loss, for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The effective income tax rate in each period differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily as a result of changes in the valuation allowance and state taxes. The tax benefit recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2021 primarily relates to the valuation allowance impact of the MIAT deferred tax liability for indefinite lived intangibles which are available to offset a portion of our indefinite lived deferred tax assets.

As of December 31, 2021, we continued to have a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets. We intend to continue maintaining a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances. However, given our current earnings and anticipated future earnings, we believe that there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reach a conclusion that a significant portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of the valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a benefit to the income tax provision for the period the release is recorded. In addition, if the valuation allowance is released, the effective tax rate would increase to a percentage more in line with the combined statutory federal and state income tax rates starting in the fiscal year following the release. However, the exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance release are subject to change on the basis of the level of profitability that we are able to actually achieve.

Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitration, investigations, regulatory proceedings or other claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving current or former students, routine employment matters, business disputes and regulatory demands. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the loss. When a loss is not both probable and estimable, we do not accrue a liability. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible, including if a loss in excess of an accrued liability is reasonably possible, we determine whether it is possible to provide an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim. Because we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings (including lawsuits, investigations, regulatory proceedings or claims) asserted against us, it is not currently possible to provide such an estimate. The ultimate outcome of pending legal proceedings to which we are a party may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows and results of operations or financial condition.

Note 17 - Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors and have the right to one vote per share on all matters requiring shareholder approval. On June 9, 2016, our Board of Directors voted to

20

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

eliminate the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock. Any future common stock dividends require the approval of a majority of the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock consists of 10,000,000 authorized preferred shares of $0.0001 par value each. As of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, 700,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) were issued and outstanding. The liquidation preference associated with the Series A Preferred Stock was $100 per share at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

Pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, we may pay a cash dividend on each share of the Series A Preferred Stock at a rate of 7.5% per year on the liquidation preference then in effect (“Cash Dividend”). If we do not pay a Cash Dividend, the liquidation preference shall be increased to an amount equal to the current liquidation preference in effect plus an amount reflecting that liquidation preference multiplied by the Cash Dividend rate then in effect plus 2.0% per year (“Accrued Dividend”). Cash Dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on September 30 and March 31 of each year, and begin to accrue on the first day of the applicable dividend period. We accrued Cash Dividends of $1.3 million as of December 31, 2021.

For further discussion of our preferred stock, including the potential for conversion into common stock, see Note 16 on “Shareholders’ Equity” included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Share Repurchase Program

On December 10, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase plan that would allow for the repurchase of up to $35.0 million of our common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This new share repurchase plan replaced the previously authorized plan from fiscal 2012. Any repurchases under this new stock repurchase program require the approval of a majority of the voting power of our Series A Preferred Stock. We have not repurchased any shares under the share repurchase program, including during the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Note 18 - Earnings per Share

We calculate basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method as a result of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock on June 24, 2016. Our Series A Preferred Stock is considered a participating security because, in the event that we pay a dividend or make a distribution on the outstanding common stock, we shall also pay each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock a dividend on an as-converted basis. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for common stock and participating securities according to dividend and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings, distributed and undistributed, are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is not included in the computation of basic EPS in periods in which we have a net loss, as the Series A Preferred Stock is not contractually obligated to share in our net losses.

Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common shareholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as a result of the net loss available to common shareholders and anti-dilutive impact of the potentially dilutive securities.

21

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2021		2020
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,323)		(1,313)
Net income (loss) available for distribution	13,499		(230)
Income allocated to participating securities	(5,267)		—
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Basic income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	723		—
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	33,572		32,658
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	186		436
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,207		21,457
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	54,593		53,905

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

Note 19 - Segment Information

Our principal business is providing postsecondary education. We also provide manufacturer-specific training, and these operations are managed separately from our campus operations. These operations do not currently meet the quantitative criteria for segments and therefore are reflected in the “Other” category. Our equity method investment and other non-postsecondary education operations are also included within the “Other” category. Corporate expenses are allocated to “Postsecondary Education” and the “Other” category based on compensation expense.

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Summary information by reportable segment was as follows:

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues	$	101,702	$	3,373	$	105,075
Income (loss) from operations	14,147		(569)		13,578
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,654		25		3,679
Net income (loss)	15,391		(569)		14,822
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	73,560	$	2,565	$	76,125
Income (loss) from operations	1,104		(329)		775
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,258		24		3,282
Net income (loss)	1,412		(329)		1,083
As of December 31, 2021
Total assets	$	526,209	$	7,329	$	533,538
As of September 30, 2021
Total assets	$	504,934	$	7,636	$	512,570

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Note 20 - Government Regulation and Financial Aid

As discussed at length in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our institutions participate in a range of government-sponsored student assistance programs. The most significant of these is the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”), commonly referred to as the Title IV Programs. Generally, to participate in the Title IV Programs, an institution must be licensed or otherwise legally authorized to operate in the state where it is physically located, be accredited by an accreditor recognized by ED, be certified as an eligible institution by ED, offer at least one eligible program of education, and comply with other statutory and regulatory requirements. See “Part I, Item 1. Regulatory Environment” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

State Authorization

To operate and offer postsecondary programs, and to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs, each of our institutions must obtain and maintain authorization from the state in which it is physically located (“Home State”). To engage in recruiting activities outside of its Home State, each institution also may be required to obtain and maintain authorization from the states in which it is recruiting students. UTI is authorized to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”). SARA is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. SARA is overseen by a national council (NC-SARA) and administered by four regional education compacts. As of September 1, 2021, all states other than California are members of SARA. Each of our institutions holds the state and/or SARA authorizations required to operate and

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

offer postsecondary education programs in its Home State, and to recruit in the states in which it engages in recruiting activities.

The level of regulatory oversight varies substantially from state to state and is extensive in some states. State laws may establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, location and nature of facilities and equipment, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, student outcomes reporting, disclosure obligations to students, limitations on mandatory arbitration clauses in enrollment agreements, financial operations, and other operational matters. Some states prescribe standards of financial responsibility and mandate that institutions post surety bonds. Many states have requirements for institutions to disclose institutional data to current and prospective students, as well as to the public, and some states require that our schools meet prescribed performance standards as a condition of continued approval. States can and often do revisit, revise, and expand their regulations governing postsecondary education and recruiting.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a non-governmental process through which an institution voluntarily submits to ongoing qualitative reviews by an organization of peer institutions. Institutional accreditation by an ED-recognized accreditor is required for an institution to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs. All of our institutions are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC”), which is an accrediting agency recognized by ED. ACCSC reviews the academic quality of each institution’s instructional programs, as well as the administrative and financial operations of the institution to ensure that it has the resources necessary to perform its educational mission, implement continuous improvement processes, and support student success. Our institutions must submit annual reports, and at times, supplemental reports, to demonstrate ongoing compliance and improvement. ACCSC requires institutions to disclose certain institutional information to current and prospective students, as well as to the public, and requires that our schools and programs meet various performance standards as a condition of continued accreditation. Institutions must periodically renew their accreditation by completing a comprehensive renewal of accreditation process. See “Part I, Item 1. Regulatory Environment - Accreditation” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details and the current status of our campus accreditation.

Title IV Programs

The federal government provides a substantial part of its support for postsecondary education through Title IV Programs in the form of grants and loans to students who can use those funds at any institution that has been certified as eligible to participate by ED. All of our institutions are certified to participate in Title IV Programs. Significant factors relating to Title IV Programs that could adversely affect us include:

•The 90/10 Rule. As a condition of participation in Title IV Programs, proprietary institutions must agree when they sign their PPA to comply with the 90/10 rule. Under the current 90/10 rule, to remain eligible to participate in the federal student aid programs, a proprietary institution must derive at least 10% of their revenues for each fiscal year from sources other than Title IV Program funds. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”), a proprietary institution must derive at least 10 percent of its revenue from sources other than “Federal education assistance funds.” Federal education assistance funds are defined as “federal funds that are disbursed or delivered to or on behalf of a student to be used to attend such institution.” Pursuant to ARPA, the earliest this revision to the 90/10 rule may take effect is for institutional fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.

A proprietary institution is subject to sanctions if it exceeds the 90% level for a single year, and loses its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs if it derives more than 90% of its revenue from Title IV Programs/Federal education assistance funds, as applicable, for two consecutive fiscal years.

We are currently reviewing the potential impact of the change in the 90/10 rule created under ARPA and will be monitoring any proposed or final regulations promulgated by ED to carry out this change.

•Administrative Capability. To continue its participation in Title IV Programs, an institution must demonstrate that it remains administratively capable of providing the education it promises and of properly managing the Title IV Programs. ED assesses the administrative capability of each institution that participates in Title IV Programs under a series of

24

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

standards listed in the regulations, which cover a wide range of operational and administrative topics, including the designation of capable and qualified individuals, the quality and scope of written procedures, the adequacy of institutional communication and processes, the timely resolution of issues, the sufficiency of recordkeeping, and the frequency of findings of noncompliance, to name a few. ED’s administrative capability standards also include thresholds and expectations for federal student loan cohort default rates (discussed below), satisfactory academic progress, and loan counseling. Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead ED to find the institution ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs, require the institution to repay Title IV Program funds, change the method of payment of Title IV Program funds, place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its continued participation or take other actions against the institution.

•Three-Year Student Loan Default Rates. To remain eligible to participate in Title IV Programs, institutions also must maintain federal student loan cohort default rates below specified levels. An institution whose three-year cohort default rate is 15% or greater for any one of the three preceding years is subject to a 30-day delay in receiving the first disbursement on federal student loans for first-time borrowers. As of September 30, 2021, only Universal Technical Institute of Texas was subject to a 30-day delay in receiving the first disbursement on federal student loans for first-time borrowers due to a three-year cohort default rate that was 15% or greater for one of the three most recent years.

•Financial Responsibility. All institutions participating in Title IV Programs also must satisfy specific ED standards of financial responsibility. Among other things, an institution must meet all of its financial obligations, including required refunds to students and any Title IV Program liabilities and debts, be current in its debt payments, comply with certain past performance requirements, and not receive any adverse, qualified, or disclaimed opinion by its accountants in its audited financial statements. Each year, ED also evaluates institutions’ financial responsibility by calculating a “composite score,” which utilizes information provided in the institutions’ annual audited financial statements. The composite score is based on three ratios: (1) the equity ratio which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability; (2) the primary reserve ratio which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and (3) the net income ratio which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit. Between composite score calculations, ED also will reevaluate the financial responsibility of an institution following the occurrence of certain “triggering events,” which must be timely reported to the agency.

•Title IV Program Rulemaking. ED is almost continuously engaged in one or more negotiated rulemakings, which is the process pursuant to which it revisits, revises, and expands the complex and voluminous Title IV Program regulations. Recent and significant negotiated rulemakings include the Gainful Employment Rulemaking, the Borrower Defense to Repayment Rulemaking, and the Accreditation and Innovation Rulemaking. New regulations associated with these rulemakings took effect on July 1, 2020, and additional, new rules took effect on July 1, 2021. Additionally, ED has established multiple rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations across 14 different topics areas, including the rules governing changes in ownership, standards of administrative capability, borrower defense to repayment, closed school loan discharges, mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses, and gainful employment. It is expected that these negotiated rulemakings will continue throughout 2022, and that any resulting rules would become effective during that time or thereafter. ED has also invited public commentary on other matters around potential gaps in post-secondary outcomes including retention, completion, loan repayment and student loan default. The potential outcome, if any, from these announced actions is unknown at this time. We devote significant effort to understanding the effects of ED regulations and rulemakings on our business and to developing compliant solutions that also are congruent with our business, culture, and mission to serve our students and industry relationships.

Other Federal and State Student Aid Programs

Some of our students also receive financial aid from federal sources other than Title IV Programs, such as the programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) , the Department of Defense (“DOD”) and under the Workforce Investment Act. Additionally, some states provide financial aid to our students in the form of grants, loans or scholarships. Our Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga and Sacramento, California campuses, for example, are currently eligible to participate in the Cal Grant program. All of our institutions must comply with the eligibility and participation requirements applicable to each of these funding programs, which vary by funding agency and program.

25

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Each year we derive a portion of our revenues, on a cash basis, from veterans’ benefits programs, which include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Education Assistance Program (“REAP”) and VA Vocational Rehabilitation. To continue participation in veterans’ benefits programs, an institution must comply with certain requirements established by the VA.

COVID-19, the CARES Act, the CRRSAA, and ARPA

During fiscal 2020 and 2021 various pieces of legislation were issued related to the COVID-19 pandemic including the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CRRSAA”) and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”). This legislation, along with guidance from the ED, are discussed at length in “Note 21 - Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The funding received from these Acts is also discussed in Note 21 on Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grants below. For additional information and risks associated with this legislation, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Distance Education

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ED provided broad approval for institutions to use distance education without going through the standard ED approval process. ED also permitted accreditors to waive their distance education review requirements. Taking advantage of these flexibilities, we transitioned our students into blended program formats, which permitted their non-clinical training to be offered online.

ED’s temporary flexibilities currently remain in place, and will continue through the end of the payment period that begins after the date on which the federally-declared national emergency related to COVID-19 is rescinded. However, having observed that our blended learning programs offer a range of academic, operational, and financial efficiencies, we have determined to seek the permanent approvals that will permit us to continue offering blended learning programming after the noted temporary flexibilities have expired. We also continue to work to ensure that our blended learning programming complies with applicable distance education rules and standards, including ED’s new distance education rules, which became effective July 1, 2021. We intend to offer our Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Motorcycle and Marine programs in a blended learning format on a permanent basis. Additionally, we intend to continue to invest in our blended learning platform and curriculum to further enhance the student experience and student outcomes.

To date, we have received approval from ACCSC to permanently offer blended format programs that utilize both distance and on-ground education. Additionally, we have received permanent approvals from all state education authorizing agencies to offer blended format programs. Last, we note that as part of the Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act, remote learning waivers for GI Bill students were extended until June 1, 2022. GI Bill students attending a course that was converted to remote learning because of COVID-19 may also continue to receive housing benefits until June 1, 2022.

Note 21 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grants

HEERF II Grants for Students under the CRRSAA and HEERF III Grant for Students under the ARPA

As discussed in “Note 21 - Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the CRRSAA includes Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (“HEERF II”), which makes an additional $22.7 billion available to higher education institutions. Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $681 million. The statute permits proprietary institutions to use HEERF II funds to provide financial aid grants to students, and requires that institutions prioritize the grants to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. On January 14, 2021, ED issued guidance regarding the administration of the HEERF II program. In accordance with the ED’s allocation schedule, during the year ended September 30, 2021, we were granted approximately $16.8 million for purposes of funding HEERF II student grants.

Additionally, as discussed in “Note 21 - Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the ARPA provides almost $40 billion in funding available to higher education institutions under the Higher Education

26

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Emergency Relief III (“HEERF III”). Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $396 million and may only use HEERF III funding to provide emergency financial aid grants to students. In accordance with the ED’s allocation schedule, during the year ended September 30, 2021, we were granted approximately $9.9 million for purposes of funding HEERF III student grants.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we awarded approximately $2.9 million in HEERF II and HEERF III grants to over 2,900 students. The HEERF II and HEERF III funds were drawn down as student grants were distributed with approximately $0.2 million included in “Restricted cash” on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 which relates to pending student grants and outstanding checks. As of December 31, 2021, we have approximately $4.0 million of funds still available for HEERF II and HEERF III grants to students.

HEERF I Grants for Significant Changes to the Delivery of Instruction Due to the Coronavirus under the CARES Act

As discussed in “Note 22 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the three months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $0.9 million in allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus, thereby utilizing the remaining available HEERF institutional funds. Of the $0.9 million incurred, $0.3 million was recorded in “Educational services and facilities” and $0.6 million was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statements of operation for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The $0.9 million was drawn down prior to December 31, 2020 and was included in our “Cash and cash equivalents” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

27

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and those in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K and included in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page ii of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Company Overview

Founded in 1965, with approximately 250,000 graduates in its history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (“we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading provider of transportation and technical training programs. As of December 31, 2021, we offered certificate, diploma or degree programs at 14 campuses across the United States under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (“UTI”), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (collectively, “MMI”), NASCAR Technical Institute (“NASCAR Tech”), and MIAT College of Technology (“MIAT”). Additionally, we offer manufacturer specific advanced training (“MSAT”) programs, including student-paid electives, at our campuses and manufacturer or dealer sponsored training at certain campuses and dedicated training centers.

All of our campuses are nationally accredited and are eligible for federal student financial assistance funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”), commonly referred to as Title IV Programs, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”). Our programs are also eligible for financial aid from federal sources other than Title IV Programs, such as the programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and under the Workforce Investment Act.

To ensure our programs provide students with the necessary hard and soft skills needed upon graduation, we have relationships with over 35 original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and industry brand partners across the country to understand their needs for qualified service professionals. Through our industry relationships, we are able to continuously refine and expand our programs and curricula. We believe our industry-focused educational model and national presence have enabled us to develop valuable industry relationships, which provide us with significant competitive advantages and supports our market leadership, along with enabling us to provide highly specialized education to our students, resulting in enhanced employment opportunities and the potential for higher wages for our graduates.

Our industry relationships also extend to thousands of local employers, after-market retailers, fleet service providers and enthusiast organizations. Other target groups for relationship-building, such as parts and tools suppliers, provide us with a variety of strategic and financial benefits that include equipment sponsorship, new product support, licensing and branding opportunities and financial sponsorship for our campuses and students.

We offer the majority of our programs in a blended learning model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. This blended learning format has allowed us to continue to offer our programs to our students during the COVID-19 pandemic and aligns with an increasing trend of online education being offered as individuals seek more flexibility and life-long learning opportunities. On-campus labs are designed to meet or exceed the current national guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) as well as state and local mandates, while still meeting our accreditation and curriculum requirements.

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Overview of the Three Months Ended December 31, 2021

Student Metrics

	December 31, 2021	December 31, 2020	% Change
Total new student starts	1,972	1,927	2.3	%
Average undergraduate full-time active students	13,729	11,813	16.2	%
End of period undergraduate full-time active students	13,129	10,763	22.0	%

The increase in average undergraduate full-time active students and end of period undergraduate full-time active students was due to strong student demand and increased effectiveness of our marketing and admissions efforts throughout fiscal 2021 and the ongoing but diminishing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prior year. The acquisition of MIAT in November 2021 contributed to the increase in our new student starts, average and end of period undergraduate full-time active students.

Our ability to start new students can be influenced by various factors including: unemployment rates; competition; adverse media coverage, legislative hearings, regulatory actions and investigations by attorneys general and various agencies related to allegations of wrongdoing on the part of other companies within the education and training services industry, which have cast the industry in a negative light; and the state of the general macro-economic environment and its impact on price sensitivity and the ability and willingness of students and their families to incur debt.

Operations

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2021 were $105.1 million, an increase of $29.0 million, or 38.0%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in revenue was due to growth in students, increased revenue per student due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year, and the acquisition of MIAT. Additionally, as a result of catch-up labs not yet completed, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred revenue of $2.0 million.

We had income from operations of $13.6 million during the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2020. The increase in our income from operations during the three months ended December 31, 2021 was primarily driven by our increase in revenue. Additionally, productivity improvements and proactive cost actions have been a key part of our operating model for the past several years, and we continue to identify and execute on efficiency opportunities throughout our cost structure, while improving and investing in the overall student experience.

Business Strategy

Our core business strategies are aligned with our mission to serve students, partners and communities by providing quality education and training for in-demand careers. Additionally, as we evolve our business model, we are focused on growth and diversification which is achieved through acquisitions, opening new campus locations, the expansion of new program offerings, and new funding and business operating models.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we executed the following as part of our growth and diversification strategy:

•Completed the acquisition of MIAT College of Technology (“MIAT”) from HCP & Company on November 1, 2021. MIAT served approximately 1,000 students as of December 31, 2021 through its campuses in Canton, Michigan and Houston, Texas. The company offers vocational and technical certificates as well as associates degrees in fields with robust and growing demand for skilled technical workers, including aviation maintenance, energy technology, wind power, robotics and automation, non-destructive testing, HVACR, and welding. The acquisition will enable us to further expand our program offerings into growing industry sectors and rapidly expanding fields likely to be bolstered by technological innovation and the country’s focus on sustainable energy.

•Launched electric vehicle (“EV”) technician training coursework to meet increasing demand for clean cars and trucks. This enhanced training is the initial step in our overall EV strategy to prepare future technicians for surging electric vehicle sales in the coming decades.

29

•Formed a new strategic alliance with Napa Auto Parts (“NAPA”). NAPA will supply essential parts for hands-on labs, including brake kits, rotors, bulbs, bearing kits, wheel weights and more. The initial stage of the partnership will impact UTI, MMI and NTI-branded campuses and may be expanded to MIAT-branded campuses in the future.

In addition, we continue to pursue other opportunities that align with our growth and diversification strategy.

Regulatory Environment

See Note 20 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements herein for a discussion of our regulatory environment.

Results of Operations: Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2020

The following table sets forth selected statements of operations data as a percentage of revenues for each of the periods indicated. 

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	100.0	%	100.0	%
Operating expenses:
Educational services and facilities	45.6	%	51.7	%
Selling, general and administrative	41.5	%	47.3	%
Total operating expenses	87.1	%	99.0	%
Income (loss) from operations	12.9	%	1.0	%
Interest income	—	%	0.1	%
Interest expense	(0.2)	%	—	%
Other income, net	0.1	%	0.4	%
Total other (expense) income, net	(0.1)	%	0.5	%
Income (loss) before income taxes	12.8	%	1.5	%
Income tax (expense) benefit	1.3	%	—	%
Net income (loss)	14.1	%	1.4	%
Preferred stock dividends	1.3	%	1.7	%
Income (loss) available for distribution	12.8	%	(0.3)	%

Revenues

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2021 were $105.1 million, an increase of $29.0 million, or 38.0%, as compared to revenues of $76.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we had a 2.3% increase in our new student starts and a 16.2% increase in our average undergraduate full-time active students as we saw strong front-end demand across all channels during fiscal 2021, and the prior year period was impacted by the ongoing but diminishing effects of the global pandemic. The increase in revenue is primarily due to an increase in the average revenue per student as compared to the prior year which was impacted by the timing of completion of student make-up lab work and slower student progression due to the ongoing but diminishing impacts of COVID-19. The acquisition of MIAT also contributed to our student and revenue growth. As a result of the catch-up labs not yet completed, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred revenue of $2.0 million. We recognized $2.5 million and $1.8 million on an accrual basis related to revenues and interest under our proprietary loan program for the three months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

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Educational services and facilities expenses

Educational services and facilities expenses were $47.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, which represents an increase of $8.6 million as compared to $39.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

The following table sets forth the significant components of our educational services and facilities expenses (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Salaries expense	$	20,058	$	17,836
Employee benefits and tax	4,224		2,972
Bonus expense	539		454
Stock-based compensation	46		26
Compensation and related costs	24,867		21,288
Occupancy costs	8,996		8,268
Depreciation and amortization expense	3,407		3,057
Supplies and maintenance expense	3,441		2,258
Taxes and licensing expense	754		389
Student expense	1,087		1,384
Contract services expense	1,248		696
Other educational services and facilities expense	4,101		1,991
Total educational services and facilities expense	$	47,901	$	39,331

Compensation and related costs increased by $3.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to lower headcount in the prior year period due to attrition and productivity improvements enacted to offset revenue decreases from COVID-19. The acquisition of MIAT accounted for $1.4 million of the increased compensation and related costs.

Occupancy costs increased by $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to costs associated with the planned new campuses in Austin, Texas and Miramar, Florida, both of which are expected to open in the second half of 2022, as well as $0.3 million related to MIAT’s two campuses for November and December, partially offset by the benefit associated with the purchase of our Avondale, Arizona campus in December 2020.

Supplies and maintenance expense increased by $1.2 million primarily due to a $0.4 million increase for the purchase of laptops for our students to aid their education under our blended-learning model. During the prior year, we primarily utilized funds from the CARES Act to purchase the laptops for our students. We also incurred additional expenses for technical supplies of $0.4 million and student textbooks of $0.2 million due to a higher average student population and the acquisition of MIAT during the quarter.

Contract services increased by $0.6 million primarily due to costs incurred related to our growth and diversification initiatives.

Other educational services and facilities expense increased by $2.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in expense related to our accrued tool kits, an increase in the cost of books of $0.2 million and an increase of $0.1 million in the cost of tools. Additionally, the three months ended December 31, 2020 included a credit of $0.3 million for the reimbursement of allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. The allowable costs are included in the relevant line items above for the prior year period. See Note 21 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for additional details.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2021 were $43.6 million. This represents an increase of $7.6 million, as compared to $36.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

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The following table sets forth the significant components of our selling, general and administrative expenses (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Salaries expense	$	15,624	$	13,954
Employee benefits and tax	2,903		2,851
Bonus expense	3,954		3,449
Stock-based compensation	659		522
Compensation and related costs	23,140		20,776
Advertising expense	11,338		9,030
Contract services expense	1,181		1,223
Professional services expense	1,637		946
Depreciation and amortization expense	272		217
Other selling, general and administrative expenses	6,028		3,827
Total selling, general and administrative expenses	$	43,596	$	36,019

Compensation and related costs increased by $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in salaries to support our growth strategy initiatives as compared to the prior year. The acquisition of MIAT represented $0.8 million of the increase.

Advertising expense increased by $2.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to timing of spend along with incremental investment to support our growth objectives. We continue to target cost-efficient marketing with an increased focus on digital media. Advertising expense as a percentage of revenues decreased to 10.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 11.9% in the prior year. Advertising expense for MIAT accounted for $0.7 million of the increase.

Professional services expense increased by $0.7 million primarily due costs incurred related to our growth and diversification initiatives, including the acquisition of MIAT which closed on November 1, 2021.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $2.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The primary factors include increases of $0.3 million for software, $0.3 million for recruiting, $0.2 million for bad debt expense, and $0.2 million for travel. The three months ended December 31, 2020 included a $0.6 million credit for the reimbursement of allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus from the institutional HEERF funds received. The allowable costs are included in the relevant line items above for the prior year period. See Note 21 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for additional details.

Income taxes

Our income tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.3 million, or (10.0)% of pre-tax income, compared to an income tax expense of $26 thousand, or 2.3% of pre-tax loss, for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The effective income tax rate in each period differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily as a result of changes in the valuation allowance and state taxes. The tax benefit recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2021 primarily relates to the valuation allowance impact of the MIAT deferred tax liability for indefinite lived intangibles which are available to offset a portion of our indefinite lived deferred tax assets. We recorded a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. See Note 15 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for additional details on our valuation allowance.

Preferred stock dividends

On June 24, 2016, we sold 700,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $70.0 million in cash, less $1.2 million in issuance costs. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, we recorded a preferred stock cash dividend of $1.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Net income (loss) available for distribution

Net income (loss) available for distribution refers to the net income or net loss reduced by dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock. As a result of the foregoing, we reported a net income available for distribution for the three months ended December 31, 2021 of $13.5 million and net loss available for distribution of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our earnings before interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $17.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively. We define EBITDA as net income (loss), before interest (income) expense, income tax (benefit) expense, and depreciation and amortization.

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which is provided to supplement, but not substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We choose to disclose this non-GAAP financial measure because it provides an additional analytical tool to clarify our results from operations and helps to identify underlying trends. Additionally, this measure helps compare our performance on a consistent basis across time periods. Management also utilizes EBITDA as a performance measure internally. To obtain a complete understanding of our performance, this measure should be examined in connection with net income determined in accordance with GAAP. Since the items excluded from this measure should be examined in connection with net income in determining financial performance under GAAP, this measure should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of our operating performance or profitability. Exclusion of items in our non-GAAP presentation should not be construed as an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Other companies, including other companies in the education industry, may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure across companies. Investors are encouraged to use GAAP measures when evaluating our financial performance.

EBITDA reconciles to net income, as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Interest income	(12)		(54)
Interest expense	233		2
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1,347)		26
Depreciation and amortization(1)	3,679		3,282
EBITDA	$	17,375	$	4,339

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that our cash flows from operations, cash on hand and investments will satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations, as well as announced growth and diversification initiatives through the next 12 months. Our cash position is available to fund strategic long-term growth initiatives, including opening additional campuses in new markets and the creation of new programs, such as welding, in existing markets where we continue to optimize utilization of our campus facilities.

Our aggregate cash and cash equivalents were $99.5 million as of December 31, 2021, a decrease of $34.2 million from September 30, 2021. On November 1, 2021, using operating cash on hand, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of MIAT for $26.0 million base purchase price plus $2.4 million working capital surplus for total cash consideration paid of $28.4 million. See Note 4 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for additional details on the acquisition.

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We had $30.8 million of long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2021 which consists primarily of a $31.2 million term loan that bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.0% over the seven year term secured in connection the Avondale, Arizona campus property that was purchased in December 2020. See Note 13 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for additional details on the term loan.

We believe that additional strategic uses of our cash resources may include consideration of strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives, purchase of real estate assets, subsidizing funding alternatives for our students, and the repurchase of common stock, among others. To the extent that potential acquisitions are large enough to require financing beyond cash from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments, or we need capital to fund operations, new campus openings or expansion of programs at existing campuses, we may enter into additional credit facilities, issue debt or issue additional equity.

We currently do not pay a cash dividend on our common stock. We pay preferred stock cash dividends of $2.6 million during March and September of each fiscal year. We accrued preferred stock cash dividends of $1.3 million as of December 31, 2021.

Our principal source of liquidity is operating cash flows and existing cash and cash equivalents. A majority of our revenues are derived from Title IV Programs and various veterans’ benefits programs. Federal regulations dictate the timing of disbursements of funds under Title IV Programs. Students must apply for new funding for each academic year consisting of 30-week periods. Loan funds are generally provided in two disbursements for each academic year. The first disbursement for first-time borrowers is usually received 30 days after the start of a student’s academic year, and the second disbursement is typically received at the beginning of the 16th week from the start of the student’s academic year. Under our proprietary loan program, we bear all credit and collection risk and students are not required to begin repayment until six months after the student completes or withdraws from his or her program. These factors, together with the timing of when our students begin their programs, affect the timing and seasonality of our operating cash flow.

Operating Activities

Our net cash provided by operating activities was $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Net income, after adjustments for non-cash items, provided cash of $22.2 million. The non-cash items included $4.5 million for amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases, $3.7 million for depreciation and amortization expense and $0.7 million for stock-based compensation expense.

Changes in operating assets and liabilities used cash of $19.8 million primarily due to the following:

•The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses used cash of $8.9 million primarily related to the timing of payments to vendors and for payroll and bonus accruals.

•The decrease in deferred revenue used cash of $8.7 million and was primarily attributable to the timing of student starts, the number of students in school and where they were at period end in relation to completion of their program at December 31, 2021 as compared to September 30, 2021.

•The change in other liabilities used cash of $3.0 million primarily due to the reclassification of the CARES payroll tax deferral to current liabilities.

•Changes in our operating lease liability as a result of rent payments used cash of $2.6 million.

•The decrease in receivables provided cash of $4.9 million and was primarily due to the timing of Title IV disbursements and other cash receipts on behalf of our students.

Net income, after adjustments for non-cash items, for the three months ended December 31, 2020 provided cash of $9.6 million. The non-cash items included $4.4 million for amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases, $3.3 million for depreciation and amortization expense and $0.5 million for stock-based compensation expense.

Changes in operating assets and liabilities used cash of $1.8 million primarily due to the following:

•The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses used cash of $8.4 million primarily related to the timing of payments to vendors and for payroll, bonus, and incentive compensation accruals.

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•Changes in our operating lease liability as a result of rent payments used cash of $5.3 million.

•The decrease in receivables provided cash of $8.1 million and was primarily due to the timing of Title IV disbursements and other cash receipts on behalf of our students.

•The decrease in the income tax receivable provided cash of $2.8 million and was primarily attributable to the CARES Act, which allowed us to carryback net operating losses from 2019 and 2018.

•The increase in deferred revenue provided cash of $1.9 million and was primarily attributable to the timing of student starts, the number of students in school and where they were at period end in relation to completion of their program at December 31, 2020 as compared to September 30, 2020.

Investing Activities

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, cash used in investing activities was $36.9 million. The cash outflow was primarily related to the purchase of MIAT for $26.1 million, net of cash consideration received. Additionally, we purchased property and equipment of $10.8 million which primarily related to capital expenditures for the Orlando, Florida and MMI, Phoenix consolidations, new campuses in Austin, Texas and Miramar, Florida, and other campus investments.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities was $37.2 million. The cash outflow was primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment of $47.3 million, of which $45.2 million related to the purchase of the building at our Avondale, Arizona campus location, partially offset by proceeds from maturities of held-to maturity securities of $10.0 million.

Financing Activities

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, cash used in financing activities was $0.5 million which was primarily the payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld and payments on our term loan.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, cash used in financing activities was $0.2 million and related primarily to the payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld.

Seasonality and Trends

Our operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in total student population and costs associated with opening or expanding our campuses. Our student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition. Historically, we have had lower student populations in our third quarter than in the remainder of our year because fewer students are enrolled during the summer months. Additionally, we have had higher student populations in our fourth quarter than in the remainder of the year because more students enroll during this period. Our expenses, however, do not vary significantly with changes in student population and revenues, and, as a result, such expenses do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns. However, such patterns may change as a result of new school openings, new program introductions, increased enrollments of adult students or acquisitions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates in the three months ended December 31, 2021 from those previously disclosed in Part II, Item 7 of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K other than noted below.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of August 1, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. Under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, to evaluate the impairment of goodwill, we first assess qualitative factors, such as deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in the applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances, to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, we assess the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were greater or less than the carrying values. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount based on our qualitative assessment, or that a qualitative assessment should not be performed, we proceed with the quantitative

35

impairment tests to compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of its net assets. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We believe the most critical assumptions and estimates in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units include, but are not limited to, future tuition revenues, operating costs, working capital changes, capital expenditures and a discount rate. The assumptions used in determining our expected future cash flows consider various factors such as historical operating trends particularly in student enrollment and pricing and long-term operating strategies and initiatives. There were no indicators of impairment for our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021.

We also have definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 3 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our principal exposure to market risk relates to changes in interest rates.

We invest our cash and cash equivalents in money market funds. As of December 31, 2021, we held $99.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we earned interest income of $12 thousand. As we have a restrictive investment policy, our financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates related to our interest income is expected to remain low. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash and cash equivalents and investments have been significantly impacted by current market events.

On May 12, 2021, we entered into a credit agreement to finance the Avondale property through a $31.2 million term loan that bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.0% with a maturity of seven years. As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of our long-term debt was $30.7 million and bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the LIBOR plus 2.0%, which was 2.10% as of December 31, 2021. We believe the carrying value of the debt approximates fair value as the interest rate is a floating rate equal to the LIBOR plus 2.0%, which is representative of market rates for similar instruments. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our debt will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates and we do not believe that the value of our debt has been significantly impacted by current market events. The variable rate of interest on our long-term debt can expose us to interest rate volatility due to changes in LIBOR. To mitigate this exposure, on May 12, 2021, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively fixes the interest rate on 50% of the principal amount of the term loan at 3.5% for the entire loan term.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we recorded interest expense of $0.2 million on our outstanding debt. Assuming all terms of our outstanding long-term debt remained the same, a hypothetical 1.0% change (up or down) in the one-month LIBOR would result in a $0.1 million change to our annual interest expense for the portion of the long-term debt not hedged by the interest rate swap agreement.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021 were effective in ensuring that (i) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, misstatements, errors and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been or will be prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls also can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks that internal controls may become inadequate as a result of changes in conditions, or through the deterioration of the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitrations, investigations, regulatory proceedings or other claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving current and former students, routine employment matters, business disputes and regulatory demands. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we would accrue a liability for the loss. When a loss is not both probable and estimable, we do not accrue a liability. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible, including if a loss in excess of an accrued liability is reasonably possible, we determine whether it is possible to provide an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim. Because we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings (including lawsuits, investigations, regulatory proceedings or claims) asserted against us, it is not currently possible to provide such an estimate. The ultimate outcome of pending legal proceedings to which we are a party may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, results of operations or financial condition.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

None.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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Item 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed or furnished with this report, as applicable:

Exhibit Number	Description
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1+	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2+	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

__________________

*     Filed herewith.

+     Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.
Date:	February 4, 2022	By:	/s/ Jerome A. Grant
		Name:	Jerome A. Grant
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Jerome A. Grant, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Report on Form 10-Q of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 4, 2022

/s/ Jerome A. Grant

Jerome A. Grant

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Troy R. Anderson, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Report on Form 10-Q of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 4, 2022

/s/ Troy R. Anderson

Troy R. Anderson

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jerome A. Grant, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	February 4, 2022
		/s/ Jerome A. Grant
		Jerome A. Grant
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Troy R. Anderson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	February 4, 2022
		/s/ Troy R. Anderson
		Troy R. Anderson
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

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Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-31923
Entity Registrant Name	UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-0226984
Entity Address, Address Line One	4225 East Windrose Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town	Phoenix
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85032
City Area Code	623
Local Phone Number	445-9500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	UTI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,970,033
Entity Central Index Key	0001261654
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 99,513	$ 133,721
Restricted cash	11,544	12,256
Receivables, net	14,796	17,151
Notes receivable, current portion	5,522	5,538
Prepaid expenses	7,584	6,658
Other current assets	8,325	8,068
Total current assets	147,284	183,392
Property and equipment, net	133,061	122,051
Goodwill	18,026	8,222
Intangible assets	16,302	124
Notes receivable, less current portion	32,116	30,586
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	177,380	159,075
Other assets	9,369	9,120
Total assets	533,538	512,570
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	47,903	54,397
Dividends payable	1,323	0
Deferred revenue	50,810	57,648
Accrued tool sets	3,433	3,292
Operating lease liability, current portion	16,376	14,075
Long term debt, current portion	884	876
Other current liabilities	2,468	2,430
Total current liabilities	123,197	132,718
Deferred tax liabilities, net	1,959	674
Operating lease liability	171,325	153,228
Long-term debt	29,636	29,850
Other liabilities	4,814	7,570
Total liabilities	330,931	324,040
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 32,989 and 32,915 shares issued	3	3
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 700 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of $100 per share	0	0
Paid-in capital - common	142,719	142,314
Paid-in capital - preferred	68,853	68,853
Treasury stock, at cost, 82 shares	(365)	(365)
Retained deficit	(8,497)	(21,996)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(106)	(279)
Total shareholders’ equity	202,607	188,530
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 533,538	$ 512,570

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	32,989,000	32,915,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock (in shares)	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
Treasury stock, shares, at cost	82,000	82,000

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 105,075	$ 76,125
Operating expenses:
Educational services and facilities	47,901	39,331
Selling, general and administrative	43,596	36,019
Total operating expenses	91,497	75,350
Income from operations	13,578	775
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	12	54
Interest expense	(233)	(2)
Other income, net	118	282
Total other (expense) income, net	(103)	334
Income before income taxes	13,475	1,109
Income tax benefit (expense) (See Note 15)	1,347	(26)
Net income	14,822	1,083
Preferred stock dividends	1,323	1,313
Net income (loss) available for distribution	$ 13,499	$ (230)
Earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ (0.01)
Net income (loss) per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ (0.01)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	32,849	32,658
Diluted (in shares)	33,572	32,658

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 14,822	$ 1,083
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	173	0
Comprehensive income	$ 14,995	$ 1,083

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock	Preferred Stock	Treasury Stock	Retained Deficit	Retained Deficit Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Common Stock Paid-in Capital	Preferred Stock Paid-in Capital
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 176,522		$ 3	$ 0	$ (365)	$ (32,971)		$ 0	$ 141,002	$ 68,853
Beginning Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-13) at Sep. 30, 2020		$ 1,644					$ 1,644
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			32,730	700	82
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	1,083					1,083
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			66
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(178)								(178)
Shares withheld for payroll taxes (in shares)			(29)
Stock-based compensation	548								548
Preferred stock dividends	(1,313)					(1,313)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	178,306		$ 3	$ 0	$ (365)	(31,557)		0	141,372	68,853
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			32,767	700	82
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	188,530		$ 3	$ 0	$ (365)	(21,996)		(279)	142,314	68,853
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021			32,915	700	82
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	14,822					14,822
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			111
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(301)								(301)
Shares withheld for payroll taxes (in shares)			(37)
Stock-based compensation	706								706
Preferred stock dividends	(1,323)					(1,323)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	173							173
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 202,607		$ 3	$ 0	$ (365)	$ (8,497)		$ (106)	$ 142,719	$ 68,853
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021			32,989	700	82

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 14,822	$ 1,083
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,679	3,282
Amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases	4,472	4,445
Bad debt expense	560	389
Stock-based compensation	706	548
Deferred income taxes	(1,893)	0
Training equipment credits earned, net	(147)	10
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	173	0
Other (losses) gains, net	(148)	(139)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	4,920	8,108
Prepaid expenses	(590)	(1,651)
Other assets	(29)	(139)
Notes receivable	(1,514)	(884)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8,853)	(8,416)
Deferred revenue	(8,666)	1,922
Income tax receivable	0	2,783
Accrued tool sets and other current liabilities	486	(234)
Operating lease liability	(2,567)	(5,301)
Other liabilities	(2,955)	1,977
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,456	7,783
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired	(26,142)	0
Purchase of property and equipment	(10,793)	(47,293)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	1	6
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities	0	9,965
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	75	73
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,859)	(37,249)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on term loan and finance leases	(216)	(32)
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(301)	(178)
Net cash used in financing activities	(517)	(210)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(34,920)	(29,676)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	133,721	76,803
Restricted cash, beginning of period	12,256	12,116
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	145,977	88,919
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	99,513	44,212
Restricted cash, end of period	11,544	15,031
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	111,057	59,243
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes refunded	0	(19)
Interest paid	223	2
Training equipment obtained in exchange for services	221	141
Depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services	238	317
Accounts payable and accrued expenses for capital expenditures	3,651	1,547
Dividends payable	1,323	1,313
CARES Act funds received for student emergency grants (See Note 21)	2,816	0
CARES Act funds disbursed for student emergency grants (See Note 21)	(2,900)	0
CARES Act funds received for institutional costs	$ 0	$ 880

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Nature of the Business

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of the Business

Nature of the Business

Founded in 1965, with approximately 250,000 graduates in its history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (“we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading provider of transportation and technical training programs. As of December 31, 2021, we offered certificate, diploma or degree programs at 14 campuses across the United States under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (“UTI”), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (collectively, “MMI”), NASCAR Technical Institute (“NASCAR Tech”), and MIAT College of Technology (“MIAT”). Additionally, we offer manufacturer specific advanced training (“MSAT”) programs, including student-paid electives, at our campuses and manufacturer or dealer sponsored training at certain campuses and dedicated training centers.

We work closely with over 35 original equipment manufacturers and industry brand partners to understand their needs for qualified service professionals. Revenues generated from our schools consist primarily of tuition and fees paid by students. To pay for a substantial portion of their tuition, the majority of students rely on funds received from federal financial aid programs under Title IV Programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”), as well as from various veterans’ benefits programs. For further discussion, see Note 21 on “Government Regulation and Financial Aid” included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 2, 2021 (the “2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

We offer the majority of our programs in a blended learning model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. This blended learning format has allowed us to continue to offer our programs to our students during the COVID-19 pandemic and aligns with an increasing trend of online education being offered as individuals seek more flexibility and life-long learning opportunities. On-campus labs are designed to meet or exceed the current national guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) as well as state and local mandates, while still meeting our accreditation and curriculum requirements.

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Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2021. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Other than described below, there have been no material changes or developments in our significant accounting policies or evaluation of accounting estimates and underlying assumptions or methodologies from those disclosed in Note 2 of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New Significant Accounting Policy for Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of August 1, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. Under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, to evaluate the impairment of goodwill, we first assess qualitative factors, such as deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market

conditions, adverse changes in the applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances, to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, we assess the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were greater or less than the carrying values. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount based on our qualitative assessment, or that a qualitative assessment should not be performed, we proceed with the quantitative impairment tests to compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of its net assets. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We believe the most critical assumptions and estimates in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units include, but are not limited to, future tuition revenues, operating costs, working capital changes, capital expenditures and a discount rate. The assumptions used in determining our expected future cash flows consider various factors such as historical operating trends particularly in student enrollment and pricing and long-term operating strategies and initiatives. There were no indicators of impairment for our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021.

We also have definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.

See Note 8 and Note 9 for additional details on our goodwill and intangible assets.

Reclassifications

Due to the acquisition of MIAT on November 1, 2021, which is described in further detail in Note 4, we added a new line to the condensed consolidated balance sheet: “Intangible Assets.” We have presented the intangible assets arising from the MIAT acquisition as well as the previously recorded intangible assets in this line. As of September 30, 2021, $0.1 million of intangible assets was reclassified from “Other assets” to “Intangible assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for comparable presentation.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective in Fiscal 2022

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). The amendments in ASU 2019-12 simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. We have evaluated the new guidance and determined that there is no material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or financial statement disclosures.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). The amendments in ASU 2021-08 require that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers (“ASC 606”). At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with ASC 606 as if it had originated the contracts. To achieve this, an acquirer may assess how the acquiree applied ASC 606 to determine what to record for the acquired revenue contracts. Generally, this should result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements (if the acquiree financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2021-08 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2021-08 is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. Due to the MIAT acquisition on November 1, 2021, we have elected to early adopt ASU 2021-08 as of October

1, 2021 and have applied the guidance in ASU 2021-08 to the deferred revenue recorded for MIAT. See Note 4 for further information on the acquisition of MIAT.

Other

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. This new guidance only applies to contracts and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 do not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022. Given the interest rate for our term loan (which is further described in Note 13) references LIBOR, we are currently evaluating the new reference rate reform practical expedients and will consider adopting this guidance when we are required to modify our contract for the discontinuation of LIBOR.

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Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]

Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology

Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology

On November 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition contemplated by the previously announced Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated March 29, 2021, by and among UTI, HCP Ed Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”), HCP Ed Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Seller (“HCP”), and Michigan Institute of Aeronautics, Inc. d/b/a MIAT, a Michigan corporation and wholly subsidiary of HCP. MIAT is a post-secondary school that offers vocational and technical certificates and degrees across aviation maintenance, energy technology, wind energy technology, robotics and automation, non-destructive testing, heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration (“HVACR”), and welding disciplines. HCP is MIAT’s holding company that owns no assets other than the issued and outstanding shares of MIAT.

The acquisition is part of our growth and diversification strategy and will allow us to expand MIAT programs throughout UTI brand campuses and extend UTI’s presence and programs into the Canton, MI market where MIAT has been for over 50 years. Other expected synergies include operating and purchasing cost efficiencies and broadening the opportunity for student growth at the acquired MIAT campuses by leveraging our high school and national marketing and admissions infrastructure.

Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of HCP from the Seller for $26.0 million base purchase price plus $2.4 million working capital surplus for total cash consideration paid of $28.4 million. As a result, HCP is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of UTI and MIAT remains as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HCP. The consideration paid was funded by available operating cash.

In connection with this acquisition, we incurred total transaction costs of $1.4 million of which $0.6 million were incurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and $0.8 million during the year ended September 30, 2021. In both periods, these costs are included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The results of operations for MIAT were not material to our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the two months ended December 31, 2021.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase price was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on our preliminary valuation estimates of the fair values as of the acquisition date. The acquisition accounting allocation is preliminary and subject to adjustments for the final working capital adjustments and tax analysis, which may result in potential adjustments to the carrying value of the respective recorded assets and liabilities, and the determination of any residual amount that will be allocated to goodwill.

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price at November 1, 2021 is summarized as follows:

Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,301
Accounts receivable, net	3,228
Prepaid expenses	268
Other current assets	507
Property and equipment	3,043
Goodwill	9,804
Intangible assets	16,200
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	15,320
Other assets	85
Total assets acquired	$	50,756
Less: Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(1,799)
Deferred revenue	(1,828)
Operating lease liability, current portion	(1,005)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(3,178)
Operating lease liability	(14,503)
Total liabilities assumed	(22,313)
Net assets acquired	$	28,443

The goodwill of $9.8 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of the growth and operating synergies expected from integrating MIAT into UTI. The total amount of goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is approximately $0.6 million. See Note 8 for additional details on goodwill.

The preliminary purchase price allocation requires subjective estimates that, if incorrectly estimated, could be material to our consolidated financial statements including the amount of depreciation and amortization expense. The fair value of the tangible assets was estimated using the cost approach. The intangible assets acquired, which primarily consists of the accreditations and regulatory approvals, trademarks and trade names, and curriculum, were valued using different valuation techniques depending upon the nature of the intangible asset acquired. The accreditations and regulatory approvals were valued using the multiperiod excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) under the income approach. The MPEEM is a variation of discounted cash-flow analysis. Rather than focusing on the whole entity, the MPEEM isolates the cash flows that can be associated with a single intangible asset and measures fair value by discounting them to present value. The trademarks and trade names were valued using the relief from royalty method. The value of the trade name encompasses all items necessary to generate revenue utilizing the trade name. The curriculum was valued using the cost approach. See Note 9 for further details on the intangible assets recorded. As previously discussed in Note 3, we early adopted ASU 2021-08 and applied the new guidance when recording the initial deferred revenue.

Pro forma financial information is not presented as the fiscal 2021 revenues and earnings of MIAT are not material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations. MIAT’s principal business is providing postsecondary education and is included in our “Postsecondary Education” reporting unit disclosed in Note 19 on Segments. MIAT’s corporate expenses are allocated to “Postsecondary Education” and the “Other” category based on compensation expense.

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Revenue from Contracts with Customers

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Nature of Goods and Services

Postsecondary Education

Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in ASC 606. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our UTI programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks while our MIAT programs are completed in 30 to 104 weeks. Our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months.

Additionally, certain students participate in a proprietary loan program that extends repayment terms for their tuition.  We purchase said loans from the lender and, based on historical collection rates, believe a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on the amount we expect to collect, and we recognize these revenues ratably over the term of the course or program offered.

Other

We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs.

We provide postsecondary education and other services in the same geographical market, the United States. The impact of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is consistent among our various postsecondary education programs. See Note 19 for disaggregated segment revenue information.

Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to our rights to consideration for a student’s progress through our training program in relation to our services performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when the rights become unconditional. Currently, we do not have any contract assets that have not transferred to a receivable. Our deferred revenue is considered a contract liability and primarily relates to our enrollment agreements where we received payments for tuition but we have not yet delivered the related training programs to satisfying the related performance obligations. The advance consideration received from students or Title IV funding is deferred revenue until the training program has been delivered to the students.

The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue resulting from our enrollment agreements with students:

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$	46,582	$	46,489
Deferred revenue	50,810		57,648

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the deferred revenue balance included decreases for revenues recognized during the period and increases related to new students who started their training programs during the period.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers:

Level 1:    Defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:    Defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Any transfers of investments between levels occurs at the end of the reporting period. Assets measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	62,104	$	62,104	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	37,638		—		—		37,638
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	99,742	$	62,104	$	—	$	37,638

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	September 30, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	62,100	$	62,100	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	36,124		—		—		36,124
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	98,224	$	62,100	$	—	$	36,124

(1) Money market funds and other highly liquid investments with maturity dates less than 90 days are reflected as “Cash and cash equivalents” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

(2) Notes receivable relate to our proprietary loan program.

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Property and Equipment, net

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment, net

Property and Equipment, netProperty and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	Depreciable Lives (in years)	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Land	—	$	8,355	$	8,355
Buildings and building improvements	3-35	71,048		71,036
Leasehold improvements	1-28	64,813		63,502
Training equipment	3-10	91,911		91,191
Office and computer equipment	3-10	32,207		31,718
Curriculum development	5	19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use	1-5	12,540		12,524
Vehicles	5	1,409		1,436
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	2-3	215		215
Construction in progress	—	19,494		10,171
		321,684		309,840
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(188,623)		(187,789)
		$	133,061	$	122,051

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Goodwill

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

Goodwill

Our goodwill balance of $18.0 million as of December 31, 2021 represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The changes in the carrying value of goodwill are presented in the table below.

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,222	$	8,222
Additions to Goodwill for acquisition of MIAT	$	9,804	—
Balance at end of period	$	18,026	$	8,222

Of the $18.0 million recorded as goodwill as of December 31, 2021, $8.2 million resulted from the acquisition of our motorcycle and marine education business in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and $9.8 million relates to the acquisition of MIAT as of November 1, 2021 as previously described in Note 4. All of the goodwill relates to our Postsecondary Education reportable operating segment.

Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment, which may result from the deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired businesses, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances. Historically, this testing has been performed as of September 30 of each fiscal year. Effective as of October 1, 2021, we determined that our goodwill will be tested annually for impairment as of August 1 and more frequently if events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We do not consider this change to be material and believe that the timing is preferable as it allows additional time to complete the annual assessment in advance of the annual reporting deadline. This change in assessment date did not delay, accelerate, or cause avoidance of a potential impairment charge. There were no indicators of goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2021.

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Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

The following table provides the gross carrying value, accumulated amortization, and remaining useful life for intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2021:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Remaining Useful Life (Years)
Accreditations and regulatory approvals - MIAT	$	12,800	$	—	$	12,800	Indefinite
Trademarks and trade names - MIAT	3,000		—		3,000		Indefinite
Curriculum - MIAT	400		(13)		387		4.83
Non-compete agreement and trade name	442		(327)		115		3.33
Total	$	16,642	$	(340)	$	16,302	4.47

Of the $16.6 million recorded as intangible assets as of December 31, 2021, $16.2 million relates to the MIAT acquisition completed on November 1, 2021 as previously described in Note 4. The remaining weighted average useful lives shown are calculated based on the net book value and remaining amortization period of each respective intangible asset. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.

As discussed in our new significant accounting policy on intangible assets in Note 2, our indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed at least annually for impairment as of August 1, or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment. There were no indicators of impairment for our indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021.

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

In 2012, we invested $4.0 million to acquire an equity interest of approximately 28% in a joint venture (“JV”) related to the lease of our Lisle, Illinois campus facility. In connection with this investment, we do not possess a controlling financial interest as we do not hold a majority of the equity interest, nor do we have the power to make major decisions without approval from the other equity member. Therefore, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, this investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We recognize our proportionate share of the JV's net income or loss during each accounting period and any return of capital as a change in our investment.

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following and is included within “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,665	28.0	%	$	4,627	28.0	%

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,627	$	4,494
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	113		107
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(75)		(73)
Balance at end of period	$	4,665	$	4,528

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

As of December 31, 2021, we leased 11 of our 14 campuses and our corporate headquarters under non-cancelable operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses and requirements to pay other fees associated with the leases. The facility leases have original lease terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and expire at various dates through 2036. In addition, the leases commonly include lease incentives in the form of rent abatements and tenant improvement allowances. We sublease certain portions of unused building space to third parties, which as of December 31, 2021, resulted in minimal income. All of the leases, other than those that may qualify for the short-term scope exception of 12 months or less, are recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Some of the facility leases are subject to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes to the CPI, changes to the CPI are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred. Many of our lease agreements include options to extend the lease, which we do not include in our minimum lease terms unless they are reasonably certain to be exercised. There are no early termination with penalties, residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants imposed by our facility leases.

The components of lease expense are included in “Educational services and facilities” and “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, with the exception of interest on lease liabilities, which is included in “Interest expense.”

The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2021		2020
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,363	$	6,132
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	18		32
Interest on lease liabilities	1		2
Variable lease expense	1,091		907
Sublease income	(59)		(123)
Total net lease expense	$	7,414	$	6,950

(1)     Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	177,380	$	159,075
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	76		94
Total leased assets		$	177,456	$	159,169

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	16,376	$	14,075
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, current portion	74		73
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	171,325		153,228
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt	5		23
Total lease liabilities		$	187,780	$	167,399

(1)     Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	9.49		9.37
Finance leases	1.06		1.32
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.02	%	4.31	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	3.08	%

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2021		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,567	$	5,301
Financing cash flows from finance leases	18		32
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	7,457	$	78
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Excludes the operating leases recorded for the MIAT acquisition discussed in Note 4.

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2021
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2022	$	15,520	$	56
2023	23,504		24
2024	23,350		—
2025	23,697		—
2026	23,570		—
2027 and thereafter	116,567		—
Total lease payments	226,208		80
Less: interest	(38,507)		(1)
Present value of lease liabilities	187,701		79
Less: current lease liabilities	(16,376)		(74)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	171,325	$	5

Leases

Leases

As of December 31, 2021, we leased 11 of our 14 campuses and our corporate headquarters under non-cancelable operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses and requirements to pay other fees associated with the leases. The facility leases have original lease terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and expire at various dates through 2036. In addition, the leases commonly include lease incentives in the form of rent abatements and tenant improvement allowances. We sublease certain portions of unused building space to third parties, which as of December 31, 2021, resulted in minimal income. All of the leases, other than those that may qualify for the short-term scope exception of 12 months or less, are recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Some of the facility leases are subject to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes to the CPI, changes to the CPI are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred. Many of our lease agreements include options to extend the lease, which we do not include in our minimum lease terms unless they are reasonably certain to be exercised. There are no early termination with penalties, residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants imposed by our facility leases.

The components of lease expense are included in “Educational services and facilities” and “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, with the exception of interest on lease liabilities, which is included in “Interest expense.”

The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2021		2020
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,363	$	6,132
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	18		32
Interest on lease liabilities	1		2
Variable lease expense	1,091		907
Sublease income	(59)		(123)
Total net lease expense	$	7,414	$	6,950

(1)     Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	177,380	$	159,075
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	76		94
Total leased assets		$	177,456	$	159,169

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	16,376	$	14,075
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, current portion	74		73
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	171,325		153,228
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt	5		23
Total lease liabilities		$	187,780	$	167,399

(1)     Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	9.49		9.37
Finance leases	1.06		1.32
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.02	%	4.31	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	3.08	%

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2021		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,567	$	5,301
Financing cash flows from finance leases	18		32
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	7,457	$	78
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Excludes the operating leases recorded for the MIAT acquisition discussed in Note 4.

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2021
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2022	$	15,520	$	56
2023	23,504		24
2024	23,350		—
2025	23,697		—
2026	23,570		—
2027 and thereafter	116,567		—
Total lease payments	226,208		80
Less: interest	(38,507)		(1)
Present value of lease liabilities	187,701		79
Less: current lease liabilities	(16,376)		(74)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	171,325	$	5

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Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts Payable and Accrued ExpensesAccounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Accounts payable	$	11,632	$	13,702
Accrued compensation and benefits	23,294		29,506
Other accrued expenses	12,977		11,189
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	47,903	$	54,397

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Debt

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Debt

	December 31, 2021					September 30, 2021
	Interest Rate		Maturity Date	Carrying Value of Debt (4)		Carrying Value of Debt (4)
Term Loan(1)	2.10	%	May 2028	$	30,687	$	30,886
Finance leases(2)	3.08	%	Various	79		96
Total debt				30,766		30,982
Debt issuance costs presented with debt (3)				(246)		(256)
Total debt, net				30,520		30,726
Less: current portion of long-term debt				(884)		(876)
Long-term debt				$	29,636	$	29,850

(1)     Interest on the Term Loan (as defined below) accrues at annual rate equal to the LIBOR plus 2.0%.

(2)    Our finance leases include finance lease arrangements related to various equipment with a weighted-average annual interest rate of approximately 3.08%, which mature in varying installments between 2022 and 2023. See Note 11 for additional details on our finance leases.

(3)    The unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 relate entirely to the Term Loan.

(4)    Our Term Loan and finance leases bear interest at rates commensurate with market rates and therefore the respective carrying values approximate fair value (Level 2).

Term Loan

In connection with the Avondale, Arizona building purchase in December 2020, we entered into a Credit Agreement with Fifth Third Bank, National Association (the “Lender”) on May 12, 2021 in the maximum principal amount of $31.2 million with a maturity of seven years (the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.0%. Principal and interest payments are due monthly. The Term Loan is secured by a first priority lien on our Avondale, Arizona property, including all land and improvements. Additionally, on May 12, 2021, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Lender that effectively fixes the interest rate on 50% of the principal amount of the Term Loan, or approximately $15.6 million, at 3.5% for the entire loan term. See Note 14 below for further discussion on the interest rate swap.

We are subject to customary affirmative and negative covenants under the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, certain reporting obligations and certain limitations on restricted payments, and limitations on liens, encumbrances and indebtedness. The Term Loan is also subject to certain financial maintenance covenants. The debt service coverage ratio shall not be less than 1.25 to 1.00 and is defined as the ratio of the sum of consolidated income (loss) for the year, to the extent deducted in determining income for such period, before income taxes, interest expense, amortization, depreciation and other non-cash charges including net stock-based compensation, fees and expenses related to potential acquisitions and expansion of operations and certain non-recurring charges, including relating to restructuring, business optimization and diversification strategy, less any extraordinary non-recurring gains, interest income and non-cash gains (“Consolidated EBITDA”) (less dividends payable on our Series A Preferred Stock) and other extraordinary items to the current portion of long-term debt and interest paid during the period being measured (which commences on September 30, 2021 and is tested annually thereafter on a trailing 12-month basis). The funded debt to Consolidated EBITDA ratio is required to be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (which commences on June 30, 2021 and is tested quarterly thereafter on a trailing 12-month basis). Beginning on May 12, 2024, the Lender may request new appraisals of the Avondale property in order to maintain the ratio of the amortized loan balance to the value of the location at 70%, the approximate ratio that existed at May 12, 2021. Events of default under the Credit Agreement include, among others, the failure to make payments when due, breach of covenants (including certain financial maintenance covenants) and breach of representations or warranties. If we fail to meet the minimum debt service coverage ratio, loan-to-value or debt yield and fail to cure such non-compliance within a time period acceptable to the Lender, we will be in default. As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

Debt Maturities

Scheduled principal payments due on our debt for the remainder of 2022 and for each year through the period ended September 30, 2026, and thereafter were as follows at December 31, 2021:

Maturity	Term Loan		Finance Leases		Total
Remainder of 2022	$	605	$	55	$	660
2023	832		24		856
2024	861		—		861
2025	892		—		892
2026	924		—		924
Thereafter	26,573		—		26,573
Subtotal	30,687		79		30,766
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)		—		(246)
Total	$	30,441	$	79	$	30,520

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Derivative Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to market risks, including the effect of changes in interest rates. We may enter into derivative financial instruments to offset these underlying market risks.

On May 12, 2021, in connection with the Term Loan discussed in Note 13, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Lender that effectively fixes the interest rate on 50% of the principal amount of the Term Loan, or approximately $15.6 million, at 3.5% for the entire loan term, or seven years (the “Swap”). On May 12, 2021, the Swap was designated as an effective cash flow hedge for accounting and tax purposes.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For cash flow hedges, we report the effective portion of the gain or loss as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and reclassify it to “Interest expense” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations over the corresponding period of the underlying hedged item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative financial instrument is recognized in “Interest expense” at the time the ineffectiveness occurs. To the extent the hedged forecasted interest payments on debt related to our interest rate swap is paid off, the remaining balance in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” is recognized in “Interest expense” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Of the net amount of the existing losses that are reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of December 31, 2021, we estimate that $0.2 million will be reclassified to “Interest expense” within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2021, the notional amount of our Swap was approximately $15.3 million.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the fair value of our Swap (Level 2) which is designated as a cash flow hedge and the related classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021:

	Interest Rate Swap
Other assets	43
Total fair value of assets designated as hedging instruments	$	43
Other current liabilities	$	149
Total fair value of liabilities designated as hedging instruments	$	149

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The table below presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting for our Swap on “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of December 31, 2021:

	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative		Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Interest Rate Swap	$	118	Interest expense	$	(55)

Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

The table below presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting for our Swap on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021:

	Interest Expense
Interest Rate Swap
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into income	$	(55)

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our income tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $1.3 million, or (10.0)% of pre-tax income, compared to income tax expense of $26 thousand, or 2.3% of pre-tax loss, for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The effective income tax rate in each period differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily as a result of changes in the valuation allowance and state taxes. The tax benefit recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2021 primarily relates to the valuation allowance impact of the MIAT deferred tax liability for indefinite lived intangibles which are available to offset a portion of our indefinite lived deferred tax assets.

As of December 31, 2021, we continued to have a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets. We intend to continue maintaining a full valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances. However, given our current earnings and anticipated future earnings, we believe that there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reach a conclusion that a significant portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of the valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a benefit to the income tax provision for the period the release is recorded. In addition, if the valuation allowance is released, the effective tax rate would increase to a percentage more in line with the combined statutory federal and state income tax rates starting in the fiscal year following the release. However, the exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance release are subject to change on the basis of the level of profitability that we are able to actually achieve.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitration, investigations, regulatory proceedings or other claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving current or former students, routine employment matters, business disputes and regulatory demands. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the loss. When a loss is not both probable and estimable, we do not accrue a liability. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible, including if a loss in excess of an accrued liability is reasonably possible, we determine whether it is possible to provide an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim. Because we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings (including lawsuits, investigations, regulatory proceedings or claims) asserted against us, it is not currently possible to provide such an estimate. The ultimate outcome of pending legal proceedings to which we are a party may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows and results of operations or financial condition.

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Shareholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors and have the right to one vote per share on all matters requiring shareholder approval. On June 9, 2016, our Board of Directors voted to

eliminate the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock. Any future common stock dividends require the approval of a majority of the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock consists of 10,000,000 authorized preferred shares of $0.0001 par value each. As of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, 700,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) were issued and outstanding. The liquidation preference associated with the Series A Preferred Stock was $100 per share at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

Pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, we may pay a cash dividend on each share of the Series A Preferred Stock at a rate of 7.5% per year on the liquidation preference then in effect (“Cash Dividend”). If we do not pay a Cash Dividend, the liquidation preference shall be increased to an amount equal to the current liquidation preference in effect plus an amount reflecting that liquidation preference multiplied by the Cash Dividend rate then in effect plus 2.0% per year (“Accrued Dividend”). Cash Dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on September 30 and March 31 of each year, and begin to accrue on the first day of the applicable dividend period. We accrued Cash Dividends of $1.3 million as of December 31, 2021.

For further discussion of our preferred stock, including the potential for conversion into common stock, see Note 16 on “Shareholders’ Equity” included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Share Repurchase Program

On December 10, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase plan that would allow for the repurchase of up to $35.0 million of our common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This new share repurchase plan replaced the previously authorized plan from fiscal 2012. Any repurchases under this new stock repurchase program require the approval of a majority of the voting power of our Series A Preferred Stock. We have not repurchased any shares under the share repurchase program, including during the three months ended December 31, 2021.

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Earnings per Share

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

We calculate basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method as a result of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock on June 24, 2016. Our Series A Preferred Stock is considered a participating security because, in the event that we pay a dividend or make a distribution on the outstanding common stock, we shall also pay each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock a dividend on an as-converted basis. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for common stock and participating securities according to dividend and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings, distributed and undistributed, are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is not included in the computation of basic EPS in periods in which we have a net loss, as the Series A Preferred Stock is not contractually obligated to share in our net losses.

Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common shareholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as a result of the net loss available to common shareholders and anti-dilutive impact of the potentially dilutive securities.

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2021		2020
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,323)		(1,313)
Net income (loss) available for distribution	13,499		(230)
Income allocated to participating securities	(5,267)		—
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Basic income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	723		—
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	33,572		32,658
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	186		436
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,207		21,457
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	54,593		53,905

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment InformationOur principal business is providing postsecondary education. We also provide manufacturer-specific training, and these operations are managed separately from our campus operations. These operations do not currently meet the quantitative criteria for segments and therefore are reflected in the “Other” category. Our equity method investment and other non-postsecondary education operations are also included within the “Other” category. Corporate expenses are allocated to “Postsecondary Education” and the “Other” category based on compensation expense.

Summary information by reportable segment was as follows:

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues	$	101,702	$	3,373	$	105,075
Income (loss) from operations	14,147		(569)		13,578
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,654		25		3,679
Net income (loss)	15,391		(569)		14,822
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	73,560	$	2,565	$	76,125
Income (loss) from operations	1,104		(329)		775
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,258		24		3,282
Net income (loss)	1,412		(329)		1,083
As of December 31, 2021
Total assets	$	526,209	$	7,329	$	533,538
As of September 30, 2021
Total assets	$	504,934	$	7,636	$	512,570

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Government Regulation and Financial Aid

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Government Regulation and Financial Aid [Abstract]

Government Regulation And Financial Aid

Government Regulation and Financial Aid

As discussed at length in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our institutions participate in a range of government-sponsored student assistance programs. The most significant of these is the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”), commonly referred to as the Title IV Programs. Generally, to participate in the Title IV Programs, an institution must be licensed or otherwise legally authorized to operate in the state where it is physically located, be accredited by an accreditor recognized by ED, be certified as an eligible institution by ED, offer at least one eligible program of education, and comply with other statutory and regulatory requirements. See “Part I, Item 1. Regulatory Environment” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

State Authorization

To operate and offer postsecondary programs, and to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs, each of our institutions must obtain and maintain authorization from the state in which it is physically located (“Home State”). To engage in recruiting activities outside of its Home State, each institution also may be required to obtain and maintain authorization from the states in which it is recruiting students. UTI is authorized to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”). SARA is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. SARA is overseen by a national council (NC-SARA) and administered by four regional education compacts. As of September 1, 2021, all states other than California are members of SARA. Each of our institutions holds the state and/or SARA authorizations required to operate and

offer postsecondary education programs in its Home State, and to recruit in the states in which it engages in recruiting activities.

The level of regulatory oversight varies substantially from state to state and is extensive in some states. State laws may establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, location and nature of facilities and equipment, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, student outcomes reporting, disclosure obligations to students, limitations on mandatory arbitration clauses in enrollment agreements, financial operations, and other operational matters. Some states prescribe standards of financial responsibility and mandate that institutions post surety bonds. Many states have requirements for institutions to disclose institutional data to current and prospective students, as well as to the public, and some states require that our schools meet prescribed performance standards as a condition of continued approval. States can and often do revisit, revise, and expand their regulations governing postsecondary education and recruiting.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a non-governmental process through which an institution voluntarily submits to ongoing qualitative reviews by an organization of peer institutions. Institutional accreditation by an ED-recognized accreditor is required for an institution to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs. All of our institutions are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC”), which is an accrediting agency recognized by ED. ACCSC reviews the academic quality of each institution’s instructional programs, as well as the administrative and financial operations of the institution to ensure that it has the resources necessary to perform its educational mission, implement continuous improvement processes, and support student success. Our institutions must submit annual reports, and at times, supplemental reports, to demonstrate ongoing compliance and improvement. ACCSC requires institutions to disclose certain institutional information to current and prospective students, as well as to the public, and requires that our schools and programs meet various performance standards as a condition of continued accreditation. Institutions must periodically renew their accreditation by completing a comprehensive renewal of accreditation process. See “Part I, Item 1. Regulatory Environment - Accreditation” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details and the current status of our campus accreditation.

Title IV Programs

The federal government provides a substantial part of its support for postsecondary education through Title IV Programs in the form of grants and loans to students who can use those funds at any institution that has been certified as eligible to participate by ED. All of our institutions are certified to participate in Title IV Programs. Significant factors relating to Title IV Programs that could adversely affect us include:

•The 90/10 Rule. As a condition of participation in Title IV Programs, proprietary institutions must agree when they sign their PPA to comply with the 90/10 rule. Under the current 90/10 rule, to remain eligible to participate in the federal student aid programs, a proprietary institution must derive at least 10% of their revenues for each fiscal year from sources other than Title IV Program funds. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”), a proprietary institution must derive at least 10 percent of its revenue from sources other than “Federal education assistance funds.” Federal education assistance funds are defined as “federal funds that are disbursed or delivered to or on behalf of a student to be used to attend such institution.” Pursuant to ARPA, the earliest this revision to the 90/10 rule may take effect is for institutional fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.

A proprietary institution is subject to sanctions if it exceeds the 90% level for a single year, and loses its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs if it derives more than 90% of its revenue from Title IV Programs/Federal education assistance funds, as applicable, for two consecutive fiscal years.

We are currently reviewing the potential impact of the change in the 90/10 rule created under ARPA and will be monitoring any proposed or final regulations promulgated by ED to carry out this change.

•Administrative Capability. To continue its participation in Title IV Programs, an institution must demonstrate that it remains administratively capable of providing the education it promises and of properly managing the Title IV Programs. ED assesses the administrative capability of each institution that participates in Title IV Programs under a series of

standards listed in the regulations, which cover a wide range of operational and administrative topics, including the designation of capable and qualified individuals, the quality and scope of written procedures, the adequacy of institutional communication and processes, the timely resolution of issues, the sufficiency of recordkeeping, and the frequency of findings of noncompliance, to name a few. ED’s administrative capability standards also include thresholds and expectations for federal student loan cohort default rates (discussed below), satisfactory academic progress, and loan counseling. Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead ED to find the institution ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs, require the institution to repay Title IV Program funds, change the method of payment of Title IV Program funds, place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its continued participation or take other actions against the institution.

•Three-Year Student Loan Default Rates. To remain eligible to participate in Title IV Programs, institutions also must maintain federal student loan cohort default rates below specified levels. An institution whose three-year cohort default rate is 15% or greater for any one of the three preceding years is subject to a 30-day delay in receiving the first disbursement on federal student loans for first-time borrowers. As of September 30, 2021, only Universal Technical Institute of Texas was subject to a 30-day delay in receiving the first disbursement on federal student loans for first-time borrowers due to a three-year cohort default rate that was 15% or greater for one of the three most recent years.

•Financial Responsibility. All institutions participating in Title IV Programs also must satisfy specific ED standards of financial responsibility. Among other things, an institution must meet all of its financial obligations, including required refunds to students and any Title IV Program liabilities and debts, be current in its debt payments, comply with certain past performance requirements, and not receive any adverse, qualified, or disclaimed opinion by its accountants in its audited financial statements. Each year, ED also evaluates institutions’ financial responsibility by calculating a “composite score,” which utilizes information provided in the institutions’ annual audited financial statements. The composite score is based on three ratios: (1) the equity ratio which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability; (2) the primary reserve ratio which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and (3) the net income ratio which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit. Between composite score calculations, ED also will reevaluate the financial responsibility of an institution following the occurrence of certain “triggering events,” which must be timely reported to the agency.

•Title IV Program Rulemaking. ED is almost continuously engaged in one or more negotiated rulemakings, which is the process pursuant to which it revisits, revises, and expands the complex and voluminous Title IV Program regulations. Recent and significant negotiated rulemakings include the Gainful Employment Rulemaking, the Borrower Defense to Repayment Rulemaking, and the Accreditation and Innovation Rulemaking. New regulations associated with these rulemakings took effect on July 1, 2020, and additional, new rules took effect on July 1, 2021. Additionally, ED has established multiple rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations across 14 different topics areas, including the rules governing changes in ownership, standards of administrative capability, borrower defense to repayment, closed school loan discharges, mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses, and gainful employment. It is expected that these negotiated rulemakings will continue throughout 2022, and that any resulting rules would become effective during that time or thereafter. ED has also invited public commentary on other matters around potential gaps in post-secondary outcomes including retention, completion, loan repayment and student loan default. The potential outcome, if any, from these announced actions is unknown at this time. We devote significant effort to understanding the effects of ED regulations and rulemakings on our business and to developing compliant solutions that also are congruent with our business, culture, and mission to serve our students and industry relationships.

Other Federal and State Student Aid Programs

Some of our students also receive financial aid from federal sources other than Title IV Programs, such as the programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) , the Department of Defense (“DOD”) and under the Workforce Investment Act. Additionally, some states provide financial aid to our students in the form of grants, loans or scholarships. Our Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga and Sacramento, California campuses, for example, are currently eligible to participate in the Cal Grant program. All of our institutions must comply with the eligibility and participation requirements applicable to each of these funding programs, which vary by funding agency and program.

Each year we derive a portion of our revenues, on a cash basis, from veterans’ benefits programs, which include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Education Assistance Program (“REAP”) and VA Vocational Rehabilitation. To continue participation in veterans’ benefits programs, an institution must comply with certain requirements established by the VA.

COVID-19, the CARES Act, the CRRSAA, and ARPA

During fiscal 2020 and 2021 various pieces of legislation were issued related to the COVID-19 pandemic including the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CRRSAA”) and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”). This legislation, along with guidance from the ED, are discussed at length in “Note 21 - Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The funding received from these Acts is also discussed in Note 21 on Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grants below. For additional information and risks associated with this legislation, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Distance Education

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ED provided broad approval for institutions to use distance education without going through the standard ED approval process. ED also permitted accreditors to waive their distance education review requirements. Taking advantage of these flexibilities, we transitioned our students into blended program formats, which permitted their non-clinical training to be offered online.

ED’s temporary flexibilities currently remain in place, and will continue through the end of the payment period that begins after the date on which the federally-declared national emergency related to COVID-19 is rescinded. However, having observed that our blended learning programs offer a range of academic, operational, and financial efficiencies, we have determined to seek the permanent approvals that will permit us to continue offering blended learning programming after the noted temporary flexibilities have expired. We also continue to work to ensure that our blended learning programming complies with applicable distance education rules and standards, including ED’s new distance education rules, which became effective July 1, 2021. We intend to offer our Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Motorcycle and Marine programs in a blended learning format on a permanent basis. Additionally, we intend to continue to invest in our blended learning platform and curriculum to further enhance the student experience and student outcomes.

To date, we have received approval from ACCSC to permanently offer blended format programs that utilize both distance and on-ground education. Additionally, we have received permanent approvals from all state education authorizing agencies to offer blended format programs. Last, we note that as part of the Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act, remote learning waivers for GI Bill students were extended until June 1, 2022. GI Bill students attending a course that was converted to remote learning because of COVID-19 may also continue to receive housing benefits until June 1, 2022.

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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grants

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grants

HEERF II Grants for Students under the CRRSAA and HEERF III Grant for Students under the ARPA

As discussed in “Note 21 - Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the CRRSAA includes Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (“HEERF II”), which makes an additional $22.7 billion available to higher education institutions. Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $681 million. The statute permits proprietary institutions to use HEERF II funds to provide financial aid grants to students, and requires that institutions prioritize the grants to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. On January 14, 2021, ED issued guidance regarding the administration of the HEERF II program. In accordance with the ED’s allocation schedule, during the year ended September 30, 2021, we were granted approximately $16.8 million for purposes of funding HEERF II student grants.

Additionally, as discussed in “Note 21 - Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the ARPA provides almost $40 billion in funding available to higher education institutions under the Higher Education

Emergency Relief III (“HEERF III”). Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $396 million and may only use HEERF III funding to provide emergency financial aid grants to students. In accordance with the ED’s allocation schedule, during the year ended September 30, 2021, we were granted approximately $9.9 million for purposes of funding HEERF III student grants.

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, we awarded approximately $2.9 million in HEERF II and HEERF III grants to over 2,900 students. The HEERF II and HEERF III funds were drawn down as student grants were distributed with approximately $0.2 million included in “Restricted cash” on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 which relates to pending student grants and outstanding checks. As of December 31, 2021, we have approximately $4.0 million of funds still available for HEERF II and HEERF III grants to students.

HEERF I Grants for Significant Changes to the Delivery of Instruction Due to the Coronavirus under the CARES Act

As discussed in “Note 22 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act” in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the three months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $0.9 million in allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus, thereby utilizing the remaining available HEERF institutional funds. Of the $0.9 million incurred, $0.3 million was recorded in “Educational services and facilities” and $0.6 million was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statements of operation for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The $0.9 million was drawn down prior to December 31, 2020 and was included in our “Cash and cash equivalents” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

New Significant Accounting Policy for Goodwill and Intangible Assets

New Significant Accounting Policy for Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of August 1, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. Under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, to evaluate the impairment of goodwill, we first assess qualitative factors, such as deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market

conditions, adverse changes in the applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances, to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, we assess the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were greater or less than the carrying values. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount based on our qualitative assessment, or that a qualitative assessment should not be performed, we proceed with the quantitative impairment tests to compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of its net assets. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We believe the most critical assumptions and estimates in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units include, but are not limited to, future tuition revenues, operating costs, working capital changes, capital expenditures and a discount rate. The assumptions used in determining our expected future cash flows consider various factors such as historical operating trends particularly in student enrollment and pricing and long-term operating strategies and initiatives. There were no indicators of impairment for our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021.

We also have definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.

Recently Accounting Pronouncements

Effective in Fiscal 2022

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). The amendments in ASU 2019-12 simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. We have evaluated the new guidance and determined that there is no material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or financial statement disclosures.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). The amendments in ASU 2021-08 require that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers (“ASC 606”). At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with ASC 606 as if it had originated the contracts. To achieve this, an acquirer may assess how the acquiree applied ASC 606 to determine what to record for the acquired revenue contracts. Generally, this should result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements (if the acquiree financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2021-08 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of ASU 2021-08 is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. Due to the MIAT acquisition on November 1, 2021, we have elected to early adopt ASU 2021-08 as of October

1, 2021 and have applied the guidance in ASU 2021-08 to the deferred revenue recorded for MIAT. See Note 4 for further information on the acquisition of MIAT.

Other

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. This new guidance only applies to contracts and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 do not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022. Given the interest rate for our term loan (which is further described in Note 13) references LIBOR, we are currently evaluating the new reference rate reform practical expedients and will consider adopting this guidance when we are required to modify our contract for the discontinuation of LIBOR.

Nature of Goods and Services/Contract Balances

Nature of Goods and Services

Postsecondary Education

Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in ASC 606. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our UTI programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks while our MIAT programs are completed in 30 to 104 weeks. Our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months.

Additionally, certain students participate in a proprietary loan program that extends repayment terms for their tuition.  We purchase said loans from the lender and, based on historical collection rates, believe a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on the amount we expect to collect, and we recognize these revenues ratably over the term of the course or program offered.

Other

We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs.

We provide postsecondary education and other services in the same geographical market, the United States. The impact of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is consistent among our various postsecondary education programs. See Note 19 for disaggregated segment revenue information.

Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to our rights to consideration for a student’s progress through our training program in relation to our services performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when the rights become unconditional. Currently, we do not have any contract assets that have not transferred to a receivable. Our deferred revenue is considered a contract liability and primarily relates to our enrollment agreements where we received payments for tuition but we have not yet delivered the related training programs to satisfying the related performance obligations. The advance consideration received from students or Title IV funding is deferred revenue until the training program has been delivered to the students.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers:

Level 1:    Defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:    Defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Any transfers of investments between levels occurs at the end of the reporting period.

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Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price at November 1, 2021 is summarized as follows:

Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,301
Accounts receivable, net	3,228
Prepaid expenses	268
Other current assets	507
Property and equipment	3,043
Goodwill	9,804
Intangible assets	16,200
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	15,320
Other assets	85
Total assets acquired	$	50,756
Less: Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(1,799)
Deferred revenue	(1,828)
Operating lease liability, current portion	(1,005)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(3,178)
Operating lease liability	(14,503)
Total liabilities assumed	(22,313)
Net assets acquired	$	28,443

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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue resulting from our enrollment agreements with students:

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$	46,582	$	46,489
Deferred revenue	50,810		57,648

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value of Assets

Assets measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	62,104	$	62,104	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	37,638		—		—		37,638
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	99,742	$	62,104	$	—	$	37,638

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	September 30, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	62,100	$	62,100	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	36,124		—		—		36,124
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	98,224	$	62,100	$	—	$	36,124

(1) Money market funds and other highly liquid investments with maturity dates less than 90 days are reflected as “Cash and cash equivalents” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

(2) Notes receivable relate to our proprietary loan program.

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Property and Equipment, net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	Depreciable Lives (in years)	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Land	—	$	8,355	$	8,355
Buildings and building improvements	3-35	71,048		71,036
Leasehold improvements	1-28	64,813		63,502
Training equipment	3-10	91,911		91,191
Office and computer equipment	3-10	32,207		31,718
Curriculum development	5	19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use	1-5	12,540		12,524
Vehicles	5	1,409		1,436
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	2-3	215		215
Construction in progress	—	19,494		10,171
		321,684		309,840
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(188,623)		(187,789)
		$	133,061	$	122,051

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Goodwill (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill are presented in the table below.

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,222	$	8,222
Additions to Goodwill for acquisition of MIAT	$	9,804	—
Balance at end of period	$	18,026	$	8,222

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Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Intangible Assets

The following table provides the gross carrying value, accumulated amortization, and remaining useful life for intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2021:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Remaining Useful Life (Years)
Accreditations and regulatory approvals - MIAT	$	12,800	$	—	$	12,800	Indefinite
Trademarks and trade names - MIAT	3,000		—		3,000		Indefinite
Curriculum - MIAT	400		(13)		387		4.83
Non-compete agreement and trade name	442		(327)		115		3.33
Total	$	16,642	$	(340)	$	16,302	4.47

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Equity Method Investment

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following and is included within “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,665	28.0	%	$	4,627	28.0	%

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,627	$	4,494
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	113		107
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(75)		(73)
Balance at end of period	$	4,665	$	4,528

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Lease Expense

The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2021		2020
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,363	$	6,132
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	18		32
Interest on lease liabilities	1		2
Variable lease expense	1,091		907
Sublease income	(59)		(123)
Total net lease expense	$	7,414	$	6,950

(1)     Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Schedule of Supplemental Information

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	177,380	$	159,075
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	76		94
Total leased assets		$	177,456	$	159,169

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	16,376	$	14,075
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt, current portion	74		73
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	171,325		153,228
Finance lease liabilities	Long-term debt	5		23
Total lease liabilities		$	187,780	$	167,399

(1)     Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	9.49		9.37
Finance leases	1.06		1.32
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.02	%	4.31	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	3.08	%

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2021		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,567	$	5,301
Financing cash flows from finance leases	18		32
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	7,457	$	78
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Excludes the operating leases recorded for the MIAT acquisition discussed in Note 4.

Schedule Operating Lease Liabilities Maturities

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2021
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2022	$	15,520	$	56
2023	23,504		24
2024	23,350		—
2025	23,697		—
2026	23,570		—
2027 and thereafter	116,567		—
Total lease payments	226,208		80
Less: interest	(38,507)		(1)
Present value of lease liabilities	187,701		79
Less: current lease liabilities	(16,376)		(74)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	171,325	$	5

Schedule of Finance Lease Liabilities Maturities

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2021
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2022	$	15,520	$	56
2023	23,504		24
2024	23,350		—
2025	23,697		—
2026	23,570		—
2027 and thereafter	116,567		—
Total lease payments	226,208		80
Less: interest	(38,507)		(1)
Present value of lease liabilities	187,701		79
Less: current lease liabilities	(16,376)		(74)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	171,325	$	5

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Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2021		September 30, 2021
Accounts payable	$	11,632	$	13,702
Accrued compensation and benefits	23,294		29,506
Other accrued expenses	12,977		11,189
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	47,903	$	54,397

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Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

	December 31, 2021					September 30, 2021
	Interest Rate		Maturity Date	Carrying Value of Debt (4)		Carrying Value of Debt (4)
Term Loan(1)	2.10	%	May 2028	$	30,687	$	30,886
Finance leases(2)	3.08	%	Various	79		96
Total debt				30,766		30,982
Debt issuance costs presented with debt (3)				(246)		(256)
Total debt, net				30,520		30,726
Less: current portion of long-term debt				(884)		(876)
Long-term debt				$	29,636	$	29,850

(1)     Interest on the Term Loan (as defined below) accrues at annual rate equal to the LIBOR plus 2.0%.

(2)    Our finance leases include finance lease arrangements related to various equipment with a weighted-average annual interest rate of approximately 3.08%, which mature in varying installments between 2022 and 2023. See Note 11 for additional details on our finance leases.

(3)    The unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 relate entirely to the Term Loan.

(4)    Our Term Loan and finance leases bear interest at rates commensurate with market rates and therefore the respective carrying values approximate fair value (Level 2).

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

Scheduled principal payments due on our debt for the remainder of 2022 and for each year through the period ended September 30, 2026, and thereafter were as follows at December 31, 2021:

Maturity	Term Loan		Finance Leases		Total
Remainder of 2022	$	605	$	55	$	660
2023	832		24		856
2024	861		—		861
2025	892		—		892
2026	924		—		924
Thereafter	26,573		—		26,573
Subtotal	30,687		79		30,766
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)		—		(246)
Total	$	30,441	$	79	$	30,520

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the fair value of our Swap (Level 2) which is designated as a cash flow hedge and the related classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021:

	Interest Rate Swap
Other assets	43
Total fair value of assets designated as hedging instruments	$	43
Other current liabilities	$	149
Total fair value of liabilities designated as hedging instruments	$	149

Schedule of Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The table below presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting for our Swap on “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of December 31, 2021:

	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative		Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income
	Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Interest Rate Swap	$	118	Interest expense	$	(55)

Schedule of Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on the Statement of Operations

The table below presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting for our Swap on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021:

	Interest Expense
Interest Rate Swap
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into income	$	(55)

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Earnings per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Calculation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Used in Computing Basic and Diluted Net Income Loss Per Share

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2021		2020
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,323)		(1,313)
Net income (loss) available for distribution	13,499		(230)
Income allocated to participating securities	(5,267)		—
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Basic income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	723		—
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	33,572		32,658
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	186		436
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,207		21,457
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	54,593		53,905

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2021		2020
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	14,822	$	1,083
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,323)		(1,313)
Net income (loss) available for distribution	13,499		(230)
Income allocated to participating securities	(5,267)		—
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Basic income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	8,232	$	(230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,849		32,658
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	723		—
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	33,572		32,658
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	0.25	$	(0.01)
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	186		436
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,207		21,457
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	54,593		53,905

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Information by Reportable Segment

Summary information by reportable segment was as follows:

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues	$	101,702	$	3,373	$	105,075
Income (loss) from operations	14,147		(569)		13,578
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,654		25		3,679
Net income (loss)	15,391		(569)		14,822
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	73,560	$	2,565	$	76,125
Income (loss) from operations	1,104		(329)		775
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,258		24		3,282
Net income (loss)	1,412		(329)		1,083
As of December 31, 2021
Total assets	$	526,209	$	7,329	$	533,538
As of September 30, 2021
Total assets	$	504,934	$	7,636	$	512,570

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Nature of the Business - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2021 graduate location
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of graduated technicians | graduate	250,000
Number of campuses through which undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs are offered | location	14

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Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Finance lease liabilities	$ 74	$ 73
Financing obligation	$ 5	23
Revision of Prior Period, Reclassification, Adjustment | Long-term debt, current portion
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Finance lease liabilities		$ 100

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Retained earnings	$ (8,497)	$ (21,996)

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Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combination Segment Allocation [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 18,026	$ 8,222
MIAT College of Technology
Business Combination Segment Allocation [Line Items]
Received in cash	$ 26,000
Working capital	2,400
Purchase consideration	28,400
Transaction costs	1,400	$ 600	$ 800
Goodwill	9,804
Goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes	$ 600

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Acquisition of MIAT College of Technology - Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Nov. 01, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Assets acquired
Goodwill	$ 18,026		$ 8,222
MIAT College of Technology
Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 2,301
Accounts receivable, net		3,228
Prepaid expenses		268
Other current assets		507
Property and equipment		3,043
Goodwill		9,804
Intangible assets		16,200
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		15,320
Other assets		85
Total assets acquired		50,756
Liabilities Assumed
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(1,799)
Deferred revenue		(1,828)
Operating lease liability, current portion		(1,005)
Deferred tax liabilities, net		(3,178)
Operating lease liability		(14,503)
Total liabilities assumed		(22,313)
Net assets acquired		$ 28,443

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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognition period	12 months
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$ 46,582	$ 46,489
Deferred revenue	$ 50,810	$ 57,648

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Fair Value Measurements - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - Estimate of Fair Value Measurement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$ 99,742	$ 98,224
Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	62,104	62,100
Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	37,638	36,124
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	62,104	62,100
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	62,104	62,100
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	37,638	36,124
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$ 37,638	$ 36,124

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Property and Equipment, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	$ 215	$ 215
Property and equipment and Right-of-use assets for finance leases, gross	321,684	309,840
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(188,623)	(187,789)
Property and equipment and Right-of-use assets for finance leases, net	133,061	122,051
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	8,355	8,355
Building and building improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 71,048	71,036
Building and building improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Building and building improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	35 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 64,813	63,502
Leasehold improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	1 year
Leasehold improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	28 years
Training equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 91,911	91,191
Training equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Training equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	10 years
Office and computer equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 32,207	31,718
Office and computer equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Office and computer equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	10 years
Curriculum development
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	5 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 19,692	19,692
Software developed for internal use
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 12,540	12,524
Software developed for internal use | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	1 year
Software developed for internal use | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	5 years
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	5 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,409	1,436
Right of use assets for finance leases | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	2 years
Right of use assets for finance leases | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 19,494	$ 10,171

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Goodwill - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Nov. 01, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 1998
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 18,026		$ 8,222
Motorcycle And Marine Education Business
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 8,200
MIAT College of Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 9,804

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Goodwill - Schedule of goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill at the beginning of the period	$ 8,222
Additions to Goodwill for acquisition of MIAT	9,804	$ 0
Goodwill at the end of the period	$ 18,026	$ 8,222

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Intangible Assets- Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	$ (340)
Gross Carrying Amount	16,642
Net Book Value	$ 16,302
Remaining Useful Life (Years)	4 years 5 months 19 days
Curriculum - MIAT
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 400
Accumulated Amortization	(13)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Net Book Value	$ 387
Remaining Useful Life (Years)	4 years 9 months 29 days
Non-compete agreement and trade name
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 442
Accumulated Amortization	(327)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Net Book Value	$ 115
Remaining Useful Life (Years)	3 years 3 months 29 days
Accreditations and regulatory approvals - MIAT
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 12,800
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net Book Value	12,800
Trademarks and trade names - MIAT
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	3,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net Book Value	$ 3,000

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Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 16,642
MIAT College of Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 16,200

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate - Narrative (Details) - Investment in JV - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 4,665	$ 4,627	$ 4,528	$ 4,494	$ 4,000
Ownership Percentage	28.00%	28.00%			28.00%

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate - Unconsolidated Affiliate Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	$ (75)	$ (73)
Investment in JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	4,627	4,494
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	113	107
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(75)	(73)
Balance at end of period	$ 4,665	$ 4,528

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Leases - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 location
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of lease contracts	11
Number of campuses	14
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	8 years
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	20 years

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Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease expense	$ 6,363	$ 6,132
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	18	32
Interest on lease liabilities	1	2
Variable lease expense	1,091	907
Sublease income	(59)	(123)
Total net lease expense	$ 7,414	$ 6,950

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Leases - Supplemental Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021
Assets:
Operating lease assets	$ 177,380		$ 159,075
Finance lease assets	76		94
Total leased assets	$ 177,456		$ 159,169
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Property and equipment, net		Property and equipment, net
Current
Operating lease liabilities	$ 16,376		$ 14,075
Finance lease liabilities	74		73
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	171,325		153,228
Financing obligation	5		23
Total lease liabilities	$ 187,780		$ 167,399
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other current liabilities		Other current liabilities
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	Other liabilities		Other liabilities
Finance lease, accumulated amortization	$ 100		$ 100
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Weighted-average remaining lease term, operating leases	9 years 5 months 26 days	9 years 4 months 13 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term, finance leases	1 year 21 days	1 year 3 months 25 days
Weighted average discount rate:
Weighted average discount rate, operating leases	4.02%	4.31%
Weighted average discount rate, finance leases	3.08%	3.08%
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 2,567	$ 5,301
Financing cash flows from finance leases	18	32
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	7,457	78
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

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Leases - Schedule of Operating Leases Liabilities Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Operating Leases
Remainder of 2022	$ 15,520
2023	23,504
2024	23,350
2025	23,697
2026	23,570
2027 and thereafter	116,567
Total lease payments	226,208
Less: interest	(38,507)
Present value of lease liabilities	187,701
Less: current lease liabilities	(16,376)	$ (14,075)
Operating lease liabilities	171,325	153,228
Finance Leases
Remainder of 2022	56
2023	24
2024	0
2025	0
2026	0
2027 and thereafter	0
Total lease payments	80
Less: interest	(1)
Present value of lease liabilities	79
Less: current lease liabilities	(74)	(73)
Long-term lease liabilities	$ 5	$ 23

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Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$ 11,632	$ 13,702
Accrued compensation and benefits	23,294	29,506
Other accrued expenses	12,977	11,189
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 47,903	$ 54,397

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Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 30,766	$ 30,982
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)	(256)
Total debt, net	30,520	30,726
Less: current portion of long-term debt	(884)	(876)
Long-term debt	$ 29,636	29,850
Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	2.10%
Total debt	$ 30,687	30,886
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)
Total debt, net	$ 30,441
Term Loan | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate	2.00%
Finance Leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.08%
Total debt	$ 79	$ 96
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	0
Total debt, net	$ 79
Weighted average interest rate	3.08%

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Debt - Narrative (Details) - Term Loan		3 Months Ended
	May 12, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate		2.10%
LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate		2.00%
Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio	1.25
Funded debt to EBITDA ratio	3.50
Maximum loan of lender, percentage	70.00%
Secured Debt | Lender
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum principal amount	$ 31,200,000
Debt maturity term	7 years
Fixed rate on principal amount	50.00%
Fixed amount of debt	$ 15,600,000
Interest Rate	3.50%
Secured Debt | LIBOR | Lender
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate	2.00%

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Debt - Debt Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Term Loan
Remainder of 2022	$ 660
2023	856
2023	861
2024	892
2025	924
Thereafter	26,573
Total debt, net	30,766	$ 30,982
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)	(256)
Total debt, net	30,520	30,726
Term Loan
Term Loan
Remainder of 2022	605
2023	832
2023	861
2024	892
2025	924
Thereafter	26,573
Total debt, net	30,687	30,886
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	(246)
Total debt, net	30,441
Finance Leases
Term Loan
Remainder of 2022	55
2023	24
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total debt, net	79	$ 96
Debt issuance costs presented with debt	0
Total debt, net	$ 79

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Derivative Financial Instruments - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	May 12, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Interest rate swap | Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Gain (loss) expected to reclassified to interest expense within the next twelve months		$ 200
Derivative, notional amount		15,300
Total fair value of assets designated as hedging instruments		43
Total fair value of liabilities designated as hedging instruments		149
Interest rate swap | Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivative		118
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income		(55)
Interest rate swap | Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Other current liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Total fair value of liabilities designated as hedging instruments		149
Interest rate swap | Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Other assets
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Total fair value of assets designated as hedging instruments		$ 43
Term Loan
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest Rate		2.10%
Secured Debt | Lender | Term Loan
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Fixed rate on principal amount	50.00%
Fixed amount of debt	$ 15,600
Interest Rate	3.50%
Debt maturity term	7 years

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Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (1,347)	$ 26
Effective income tax rate, percent	(10.00%)	2.30%

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Shareholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 10, 2020 USD ($)
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Number of voting rights | vote	1
Preferred Stock authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100	$ 100
Dividends payable | $	$ 1,323	$ 0	$ 1,313
Repurchase of common stock authorized by Board of Directors | $				$ 35,000
Stock repurchased (in shares)	0
Series A Preferred Stock
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Preferred Stock authorized (in shares)	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock issued (in shares)	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	7.50%
Additional percentage to cash dividend rate	2.00%

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Earnings per Share - Calculation of earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$ 14,822	$ 1,083
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,323)	(1,313)
Net income (loss) available for distribution	13,499	(230)
Income allocated to participating securities	(5,267)	0
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 8,232	$ (230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	32,849	32,658
Basic income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 8,232	$ (230)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	32,849	32,658
Basic income (loss) per common share (in shares)	723	0
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	33,572	32,658
Diluted income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ (0.01)
Dilutive effect related to preferred stock (in shares)	54,593	53,905
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,207	21,457
Outstanding stock-based grants
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	186	436
Convertible preferred stock
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,021	21,021

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Earnings per Share - Schedule of antidilutive securities (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,207	21,457
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method (in shares)	54,593	53,905
Outstanding stock-based grants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	186	436
Convertible preferred stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,021	21,021

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Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 105,075	$ 76,125
Income (loss) from operations	13,578	775
Depreciation and amortization	3,679	3,282
Net income	14,822	1,083
Total assets	533,538		$ 512,570
Depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services	238	317
Operating Segments | Postsecondary Education
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	101,702	73,560
Income (loss) from operations	14,147	1,104
Depreciation and amortization	3,654	3,258
Net income	15,391	1,412
Total assets	526,209		504,934
Corporate, Non-Segment | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,373	2,565
Income (loss) from operations	(569)	(329)
Depreciation and amortization	25	24
Net income	(569)	$ (329)
Total assets	$ 7,329		$ 7,636

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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) student
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
HEERF funds received		$ 16.8
CRRSAA, amount awarded			$ 2.9
Unusual Or Infrequent Items Or Both Awards Granted | student			2,900
Granted amount included in restricted cash			$ 0.2
Fund available			$ 4.0
Sanitization supplies, partitions, labor hours and other related expenses	$ 0.9
HEERF funds, draws	0.9
Educational services and facilities
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
HEERF III funds received		$ 9.9
Sanitization supplies, partitions, labor hours and other related expenses	0.3
Selling, general and administrative
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Sanitization supplies, partitions, labor hours and other related expenses	$ 0.6

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Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	Accounting Standards Update 2019-05 [Member]