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American Public Education (APEI) Competitors

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$45.23 -0.01 (-0.02%)
Closing price 04:00 PM Eastern
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$45.20 -0.03 (-0.07%)
As of 04:20 PM Eastern
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APEI vs. STRA, LRN, UTI, MH, and PRDO

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), Stride (LRN), Universal Technical Institute (UTI), McGraw Hill (MH), and Perdoceo Education (PRDO). 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?

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

In the previous week, American Public Education had 16 more articles in the media than Strategic Education. MarketBeat recorded 31 mentions for American Public Education and 15 mentions for Strategic Education. Strategic Education's average media sentiment score of 0.95 beat American Public Education's score of 0.56 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
3 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
6 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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 stock is poised for long-term growth.

Strategic Education has a beta of 0.49, indicating that its stock price is 51% 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$1.27B1.44$126.61M$6.0013.72
American Public Education$648.86M1.28$31.56M$2.4318.61

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 15.56% beat Strategic Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Strategic Education10.46% 8.98% 7.11%
American Public Education 6.84%15.56%8.65%

Strategic Education currently has a consensus target price of $95.33, indicating a potential upside of 15.79%. American Public Education has a consensus target price of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 31.27%. 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

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 Stride?

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

American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its share price is 38% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Stride has a beta of 0.11, suggesting that its share price is 89% less volatile than the broader market.

Stride has higher revenue and earnings than American Public Education. Stride 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$648.86M1.28$31.56M$2.4318.61
Stride$2.52B1.37$338.19M$7.2011.55

79.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.2% of Stride shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of Stride shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, American Public Education had 26 more articles in the media than Stride. MarketBeat recorded 31 mentions for American Public Education and 5 mentions for Stride. Stride's average media sentiment score of 1.01 beat American Public Education's score of 0.56 indicating that Stride is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Public Education
6 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Stride
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Stride has a net margin of 13.43% compared to American Public Education's net margin of 6.84%. Stride's return on equity of 23.49% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Public Education6.84% 15.56% 8.65%
Stride 13.43%23.49%15.66%

American Public Education presently has a consensus price target of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 31.27%. Stride has a consensus price target of $109.75, indicating a potential upside of 31.94%. Given Stride's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Stride 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
Stride
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29

Summary

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

How does American Public Education compare to Universal Technical Institute?

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) and American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) 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 dividends, media sentiment, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings and risk.

75.7% of Universal Technical Institute shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. 9.8% of Universal Technical Institute 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 stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Universal Technical Institute has a beta of 1.25, indicating that its share price is 25% more 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.

In the previous week, American Public Education had 16 more articles in the media than Universal Technical Institute. MarketBeat recorded 31 mentions for American Public Education and 15 mentions for Universal Technical Institute. American Public Education's average media sentiment score of 0.56 beat Universal Technical Institute's score of -0.06 indicating that American Public Education is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Universal Technical Institute currently has a consensus target price of $43.83, suggesting a potential upside of 74.28%. American Public Education has a consensus target price of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 31.27%. Given Universal Technical Institute's higher probable 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
Universal Technical Institute
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
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 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
Universal Technical Institute$835.62M1.66$63.02M$0.6240.57
American Public Education$648.86M1.28$31.56M$2.4318.61

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.84% compared to Universal Technical Institute's net margin of 3.88%. American Public Education's return on equity of 15.56% beat Universal Technical Institute's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Universal Technical Institute3.88% 10.18% 4.02%
American Public Education 6.84%15.56%8.65%

Summary

American Public Education beats Universal Technical Institute on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does American Public Education compare to McGraw Hill?

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

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

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
McGraw Hill$2.10B1.19$35.32M$0.2065.58
American Public Education$648.86M1.28$31.56M$2.4318.61

McGraw Hill presently has a consensus price target of $18.30, indicating a potential upside of 39.53%. American Public Education has a consensus price target of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 31.27%. Given McGraw Hill's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe McGraw Hill is more favorable than American Public Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
McGraw Hill
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
11 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

In the previous week, American Public Education had 13 more articles in the media than McGraw Hill. MarketBeat recorded 31 mentions for American Public Education and 18 mentions for McGraw Hill. McGraw Hill's average media sentiment score of 0.88 beat American Public Education's score of 0.56 indicating that McGraw Hill is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
McGraw Hill
4 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Public Education
6 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

American Public Education has a net margin of 6.84% compared to McGraw Hill's net margin of 1.68%. McGraw Hill's return on equity of 57.92% beat American Public Education's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
McGraw Hill1.68% 57.92% 6.54%
American Public Education 6.84%15.56%8.65%

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?

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

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
Perdoceo Education20.62% 18.93% 14.66%
American Public Education 6.84%15.56%8.65%

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
Perdoceo Education$846.10M2.37$159.91M$2.7411.68
American Public Education$648.86M1.28$31.56M$2.4318.61

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

Perdoceo Education has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market.

Perdoceo Education currently has a consensus price target of $44.00, suggesting a potential upside of 37.46%. American Public Education has a consensus price target of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 31.27%. Given Perdoceo Education's higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Perdoceo Education is more favorable than American Public Education.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Perdoceo Education
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
American Public Education
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

In the previous week, American Public Education had 24 more articles in the media than Perdoceo Education. MarketBeat recorded 31 mentions for American Public Education and 7 mentions for Perdoceo Education. Perdoceo Education's average media sentiment score of 0.75 beat American Public Education's score of 0.56 indicating that Perdoceo Education is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Summary

Perdoceo Education beats American Public Education on 10 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$827.71M$4.44B$13.16B$13.05B
Dividend YieldN/A2.82%55.50%10.72%
P/E Ratio18.6111.7246.7725.30
Price / Sales1.2820.7291.28101.54
Price / Cash19.0714.3826.3350.75
Price / Book2.773.604.506.33
Net Income$31.56M$239.91M$443.58M$347.70M
7 Day Performance-11.73%-2.29%-0.42%1.08%
1 Month Performance-22.07%-1.99%1.94%1.04%
1 Year Performance58.26%-3.72%0.75%20.77%

American Public Education Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
APEI
American Public Education
4.6341 of 5 stars
$45.23
0.0%
$59.38
+31.3%
+54.2%$827.71M$648.86M18.615,841
STRA
Strategic Education
4.9637 of 5 stars
$83.30
-0.5%
$95.33
+14.4%
+4.2%$1.85B$1.27B13.876,134
LRN
Stride
4.2649 of 5 stars
$78.87
-1.5%
$109.75
+39.1%
-47.3%$3.36B$2.41B12.188,600
UTI
Universal Technical Institute
4.3444 of 5 stars
$42.38
+2.6%
$44.80
+5.7%
+0.6%$2.33B$835.62M54.864,100
MH
McGraw Hill
3.8075 of 5 stars
$11.26
-2.0%
$18.47
+64.0%
-4.7%$2.16B$2.10B56.374,400

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This page (NASDAQ:APEI) was last updated on 8/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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