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American Public Education (APEI) Competitors

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$41.38 +0.80 (+1.97%)
Closing price 09/23/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$41.37 -0.01 (-0.02%)
As of 09/23/2026 07:30 PM Eastern
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APEI vs. STRA, MH, PRDO, DAO, and COUR

Should you buy American Public Education stock or one of its competitors? American Public Education's main competitors and comparable companies include Strategic Education (STRA), McGraw Hill (MH), Perdoceo Education (PRDO), Youdao (DAO), and Coursera (COUR). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "education services" industry.

How does American Public Education compare to Strategic Education?

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

Strategic Education has a net margin of 10.46% compared to American Public Education's net margin of 6.84%. American Public Education's return on equity of 15.30% beat Strategic Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.84% 15.30% 8.61%
Strategic Education 10.46%8.98%7.11%

79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.3% of Strategic Education shares are held by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.6% of Strategic Education shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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 0.25 beat American Public Education's score of 0.15 indicating that Strategic Education is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

American Public Education has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its share price is 39% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Strategic Education has a beta of 0.49, meaning that its share price is 51% less 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
American Public Education$668.01M1.13$31.56M$2.4317.03
Strategic Education$1.29B1.35$126.61M$6.0013.04

American Public Education currently has a consensus price target of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 43.49%. Strategic Education has a consensus price target of $95.33, indicating a potential upside of 21.85%. Given American Public Education's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe American Public Education is more favorable than Strategic 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
Strategic Education
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

Summary

American Public Education beats Strategic Education on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to McGraw Hill?

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) and McGraw Hill (NYSE:MH) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations and media sentiment.

In the previous week, McGraw Hill had 7 more articles in the media than American Public Education. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for McGraw Hill and 4 mentions for American Public Education. McGraw Hill's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat American Public Education's score of 0.15 indicating that McGraw Hill is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

American Public Education presently has a consensus target price of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 43.49%. McGraw Hill has a consensus target price of $17.20, suggesting a potential upside of 25.33%. Given American Public Education's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe American Public Education is more favorable than McGraw Hill.

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
McGraw Hill
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

79.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of McGraw Hill shares are owned 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.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Public Education$668.01M1.13$31.56M$2.4317.03
McGraw Hill$2.10B1.25$35.32M$0.5027.45

American Public Education has a beta of 1.39, suggesting that its share price is 39% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, McGraw Hill has a beta of -0.85, suggesting that its share price is 185% less volatile than the broader market.

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.84% compared to McGraw Hill's net margin of 4.38%. McGraw Hill's return on equity of 62.57% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.84% 15.30% 8.61%
McGraw Hill 4.38%62.57%8.56%

Summary

McGraw Hill beats American Public Education on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to Perdoceo Education?

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

In the previous week, Perdoceo Education had 1 more articles in the media than American Public Education. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Perdoceo Education and 4 mentions for American Public Education. Perdoceo Education's average media sentiment score of 0.96 beat American Public Education's score of 0.15 indicating that Perdoceo Education is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Perdoceo Education has higher revenue and earnings than American Public Education. Perdoceo 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$668.01M1.13$31.56M$2.4317.03
Perdoceo Education$858.61M2.29$159.91M$2.7411.47

79.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.5% of Perdoceo Education shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of Perdoceo Education shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

American Public Education has a beta of 1.39, suggesting that its share price is 39% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Perdoceo Education has a beta of 0.73, suggesting that its share price is 27% less volatile than the broader market.

American Public Education currently has a consensus price target of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 43.49%. Perdoceo Education has a consensus price target of $44.00, suggesting a potential upside of 39.95%. Given American Public Education's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe American Public Education is more favorable than Perdoceo 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
Perdoceo Education
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Perdoceo Education has a net margin of 20.62% compared to American Public Education's net margin of 6.84%. Perdoceo Education's return on equity of 18.93% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.84% 15.30% 8.61%
Perdoceo Education 20.62%18.93%14.66%

Summary

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

How does American Public Education compare to Youdao?

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

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Public Education$668.01M1.13$31.56M$2.4317.03
Youdao$6.01B0.29$15.35M$0.2073.05

American Public Education presently has a consensus target price of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 43.49%. Youdao has a consensus target price of $22.00, suggesting a potential upside of 50.58%. Given Youdao's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Youdao 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
Youdao
1 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.84% compared to Youdao's net margin of 2.71%. American Public Education's return on equity of 15.30% beat Youdao's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.84% 15.30% 8.61%
Youdao 2.71%-8.46%8.78%

In the previous week, American Public Education had 4 more articles in the media than Youdao. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for American Public Education and 0 mentions for Youdao. American Public Education's average media sentiment score of 0.15 beat Youdao's score of 0.00 indicating that American Public Education is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
American Public Education Neutral
Youdao Neutral

79.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 21.9% of Youdao shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 43.0% of Youdao shares are owned 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 1.39, suggesting that its stock price is 39% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Youdao has a beta of 0.52, suggesting that its stock price is 48% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

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

How does American Public Education compare to Coursera?

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

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.84% compared to Coursera's net margin of -15.39%. American Public Education's return on equity of 15.30% beat Coursera's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.84% 15.30% 8.61%
Coursera -15.39%-1.72%-1.07%

In the previous week, Coursera had 5 more articles in the media than American Public Education. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for Coursera and 4 mentions for American Public Education. American Public Education's average media sentiment score of 0.15 beat Coursera's score of 0.06 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
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Coursera
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

American Public Education has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its share price is 39% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Coursera has a beta of 1.26, meaning that its share price is 26% more volatile than the broader market.

American Public Education has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Coursera. Coursera 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$668.01M1.13$31.56M$2.4317.03
Coursera$885.40M1.53-$51M-$0.67N/A

American Public Education presently has a consensus target price of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 43.49%. Coursera has a consensus target price of $8.55, indicating a potential upside of 66.74%. Given Coursera's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Coursera 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
Coursera
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.6% of Coursera shares are held by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.3% of Coursera shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

American Public Education beats Coursera on 9 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 EducationDiversified Consumer Services IndustryConsumer Discretionary SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$742.70M$4.30B$12.63B$13.29B
Dividend YieldN/A2.90%60.56%12.57%
P/E Ratio17.0310.2144.1225.69
Price / Sales1.1332.3592.5678.99
Price / Cash17.1513.5928.5252.76
Price / Book2.542.993.936.32
Net Income$31.56M$241.15M$444.52M$359.73M
7 Day Performance-6.63%-0.78%-0.78%0.17%
1 Month Performance-10.53%-3.14%-5.13%-3.27%
1 Year Performance10.82%-10.08%-7.80%5.58%

American Public Education Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
APEI
American Public Education
4.1053 of 5 stars
$41.38
+2.0%
$59.38
+43.5%
+12.0%$742.70M$668.01M17.035,841
STRA
Strategic Education
4.4503 of 5 stars
$77.49
-1.3%
$95.33
+23.0%
-6.5%$1.72B$1.27B12.916,134
MH
McGraw Hill
3.902 of 5 stars
$13.59
+2.5%
$17.20
+26.6%
-0.4%$2.60B$2.10B27.184,400
PRDO
Perdoceo Education
4.5259 of 5 stars
$31.45
-2.7%
$44.00
+39.9%
-11.9%$1.97B$846.10M11.476,000
DAO
Youdao
1.6757 of 5 stars
$14.74
+1.3%
$22.00
+49.3%
+54.8%$1.78B$822.04M73.703,595

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This page (NASDAQ:APEI) was last updated on 9/24/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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