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FEBRUARY 16, 2004
By Gene G. Marcial ECollege: High Marks For Ivy-Covered Software  Getting a high school or college diploma online is fast gaining popularity -- and eCollege.com (ECLG
), say some pros, is a big beneficiary. Its software and services let schools and universities, such as DeVry (DV
) and the University of Colorado, outsource development of online courses. "We're very bullish on the prospects of eCollege," says Trace Urdan of ThinkEquity Partners, as "it rides the wave in demand for online courses." The online degree market has been growing at 30% a year, and Urdan expects eCollege to grow faster, driven by strong enrollment volume and new-customer growth. ECollege develops and hosts online learning platforms and virtual campuses -- with libraries and registrars -- that customers offer their students.
Like other education stocks, it fetches a rich price-earnings ratio. Urdan sees eCollege, now at 19, hitting 30 in six months. He estimates 30 cents a share on revenues of $90 million in 2004 and 68 cents on $110 million in 2005 -- up from 2003's estimated 4 cents on $37.3 million. ECollege was in the red before then. Mark Marostica of Piper Jaffray (USB ) also rates eCollege a buy. Note: Unless otherwise noted, neither the sources cited in Inside Wall Street nor their firms hold positions in the stocks under discussion. Similarly, they have no investment banking or other financial relationships with them.  See Gene on Fridays at 1:20 p.m. EST on CNNfn's The Money Gang. Get BusinessWeek directly on your desktop with our RSS feeds.  Add BusinessWeek news to your Web site with our headline feed. Click to buy an e-print or reprint of a BusinessWeek or BusinessWeek Online story or video. To subscribe online to BusinessWeek magazine, please click here. Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page  | | |
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