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American Public Education (APEI) Competitors

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$52.13 0.00 (0.00%)
Closing price 06/12/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$53.29 +1.16 (+2.23%)
As of 06/12/2026 05:08 PM Eastern
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APEI vs. STRA, BFAM, UTI, LINC, and LOPE

Should you buy American Public Education stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares American Public Education with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with American Public Education include Strategic Education (STRA), Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM), Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Lincoln Educational Services (LINC), and Grand Canyon Education (LOPE). These companies are all part of the "education services" industry.

How does American Public Education compare to Strategic Education?

Strategic Education (NASDAQ:STRA) and American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, media sentiment, risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and dividends.

93.3% of Strategic Education shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.6% of Strategic Education shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 10.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Strategic Education presently has a consensus target price of $87.00, indicating a potential upside of 12.39%. American Public Education has a consensus target price of $59.13, indicating a potential upside of 13.42%. Given American Public Education's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe American Public Education is more favorable than Strategic Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Strategic Education
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

Strategic Education has a beta of 0.51, indicating that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market.

Strategic Education has higher revenue and earnings than American Public Education. Strategic Education is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Public Education, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Strategic Education$1.27B1.38$126.61M$5.6613.68
American Public Education$648.86M1.47$31.56M$1.8927.58

In the previous week, American Public Education had 1 more articles in the media than Strategic Education. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for American Public Education and 3 mentions for Strategic Education. Strategic Education's average media sentiment score of 0.95 beat American Public Education's score of 0.44 indicating that Strategic Education is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Strategic Education
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Public Education
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Strategic Education has a net margin of 10.21% compared to American Public Education's net margin of 6.13%. American Public Education's return on equity of 14.02% beat Strategic Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Strategic Education10.21% 8.78% 6.97%
American Public Education 6.13%14.02%7.61%

Summary

American Public Education beats Strategic Education on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to Bright Horizons Family Solutions?

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) and Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM) are both education services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and profitability.

American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its share price is 38% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its share price is 19% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, American Public Education had 2 more articles in the media than Bright Horizons Family Solutions. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for American Public Education and 2 mentions for Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Bright Horizons Family Solutions' average media sentiment score of 0.92 beat American Public Education's score of 0.44 indicating that Bright Horizons Family Solutions is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Public Education
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

American Public Education presently has a consensus price target of $59.13, indicating a potential upside of 13.42%. Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a consensus price target of $100.44, indicating a potential upside of 55.04%. Given Bright Horizons Family Solutions' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Bright Horizons Family Solutions is more favorable than American Public Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
2 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

Bright Horizons Family Solutions has higher revenue and earnings than American Public Education. Bright Horizons Family Solutions is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Public Education, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Public Education$648.86M1.47$31.56M$1.8927.58
Bright Horizons Family Solutions$2.93B1.16$193.12M$3.3219.51

Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a net margin of 6.35% compared to American Public Education's net margin of 6.13%. Bright Horizons Family Solutions' return on equity of 18.01% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.13% 14.02% 7.61%
Bright Horizons Family Solutions 6.35%18.01%6.18%

79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Bright Horizons Family Solutions shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

American Public Education beats Bright Horizons Family Solutions on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to Universal Technical Institute?

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) and Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, media sentiment, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership.

Universal Technical Institute has higher revenue and earnings than American Public Education. American Public Education is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Universal Technical Institute, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Public Education$648.86M1.47$31.56M$1.8927.58
Universal Technical Institute$868.99M2.47$63.02M$0.7750.58

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.13% compared to Universal Technical Institute's net margin of 4.91%. American Public Education's return on equity of 14.02% beat Universal Technical Institute's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.13% 14.02% 7.61%
Universal Technical Institute 4.91%13.02%5.25%

American Public Education presently has a consensus price target of $59.13, indicating a potential upside of 13.42%. Universal Technical Institute has a consensus price target of $44.25, indicating a potential upside of 13.62%. Given Universal Technical Institute's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Universal Technical Institute is more favorable than American Public Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
Universal Technical Institute
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.60

79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.7% of Universal Technical Institute shares are held by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.8% of Universal Technical Institute shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, meaning that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Universal Technical Institute has a beta of 1.25, meaning that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Universal Technical Institute had 12 more articles in the media than American Public Education. MarketBeat recorded 16 mentions for Universal Technical Institute and 4 mentions for American Public Education. American Public Education's average media sentiment score of 0.44 beat Universal Technical Institute's score of 0.35 indicating that American Public Education is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Public Education
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Universal Technical Institute
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Summary

American Public Education beats Universal Technical Institute on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to Lincoln Educational Services?

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) and American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.

In the previous week, Lincoln Educational Services had 5 more articles in the media than American Public Education. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for Lincoln Educational Services and 4 mentions for American Public Education. Lincoln Educational Services' average media sentiment score of 0.65 beat American Public Education's score of 0.44 indicating that Lincoln Educational Services is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Lincoln Educational Services
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Public Education
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

American Public Education has higher revenue and earnings than Lincoln Educational Services. American Public Education is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lincoln Educational Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Lincoln Educational Services$518.24M2.82$20M$0.7165.00
American Public Education$648.86M1.47$31.56M$1.8927.58

Lincoln Educational Services presently has a consensus target price of $54.17, indicating a potential upside of 17.37%. American Public Education has a consensus target price of $59.13, indicating a potential upside of 13.42%. Given Lincoln Educational Services' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Lincoln Educational Services is more favorable than American Public Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Lincoln Educational Services
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.83
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

Lincoln Educational Services has a beta of 0.8, indicating that its share price is 20% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its share price is 38% more volatile than the broader market.

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.13% compared to Lincoln Educational Services' net margin of 4.11%. Lincoln Educational Services' return on equity of 15.25% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Lincoln Educational Services4.11% 15.25% 6.16%
American Public Education 6.13%14.02%7.61%

72.2% of Lincoln Educational Services shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. 12.8% of Lincoln Educational Services shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Lincoln Educational Services and American Public Education tied by winning 8 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to Grand Canyon Education?

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) and Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, dividends, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, earnings and analyst recommendations.

American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Grand Canyon Education has a beta of 0.56, suggesting that its stock price is 44% less volatile than the broader market.

Grand Canyon Education has a net margin of 19.54% compared to American Public Education's net margin of 6.13%. Grand Canyon Education's return on equity of 34.72% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.13% 14.02% 7.61%
Grand Canyon Education 19.54%34.72%25.77%

American Public Education presently has a consensus target price of $59.13, suggesting a potential upside of 13.42%. Grand Canyon Education has a consensus target price of $180.00, suggesting a potential upside of 22.04%. Given Grand Canyon Education's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Grand Canyon Education is more favorable than American Public Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
Grand Canyon Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.60

Grand Canyon Education has higher revenue and earnings than American Public Education. Grand Canyon Education is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Public Education, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Public Education$648.86M1.47$31.56M$1.8927.58
Grand Canyon Education$1.11B3.54$216.17M$8.0018.44

In the previous week, Grand Canyon Education had 1 more articles in the media than American Public Education. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Grand Canyon Education and 4 mentions for American Public Education. Grand Canyon Education's average media sentiment score of 1.17 beat American Public Education's score of 0.44 indicating that Grand Canyon Education is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Public Education
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Grand Canyon Education
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.2% of Grand Canyon Education shares are held by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.1% of Grand Canyon Education shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Grand Canyon Education beats American Public Education on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding APEI and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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APEI vs. The Competition

MetricAmerican Public EducationSCHOOLS IndustryDiscretionary SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$956.06M$1.43B$7.37B$12.05B
Dividend YieldN/A2.53%2.97%5.66%
P/E Ratio27.5810.8220.7824.42
Price / Sales1.473.904.25111.24
Price / Cash22.0313.9013.4237.92
Price / Book3.202.313.766.82
Net Income$31.56M$78.84M$246.38M$337.56M
7 Day Performance0.54%0.71%2.17%1.17%
1 Month Performance-2.23%1.88%4.29%3.16%
1 Year Performance88.67%-16.24%8.21%30.58%

American Public Education Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
APEI
American Public Education
3.4411 of 5 stars
$52.13
flat
$59.13
+13.4%
+88.7%$956.06M$648.86M27.585,841
STRA
Strategic Education
4.6798 of 5 stars
$78.34
+2.1%
$87.00
+11.1%
-7.8%$1.74B$1.27B13.966,134
BFAM
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
4.4654 of 5 stars
$61.64
-1.6%
$100.44
+63.0%
-47.3%$3.29B$2.98B19.1732,200
UTI
Universal Technical Institute
3.5612 of 5 stars
$40.80
+9.1%
$44.25
+8.5%
+15.7%$2.06B$835.62M53.014,100
LINC
Lincoln Educational Services
3.8033 of 5 stars
$48.65
+5.0%
$54.17
+11.4%
+105.5%$1.47B$544.69M69.322,640

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This page (NASDAQ:APEI) was last updated on 6/15/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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