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American Public Education (APEI) Competitors

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$45.23 -0.01 (-0.02%)
Closing price 08/14/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$45.20 -0.03 (-0.07%)
As of 08/14/2026 07:34 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 better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, media sentiment, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Strategic Education has a beta of 0.49, suggesting that its stock price is 51% 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.

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
Strategic Education10.46% 8.98% 7.11%
American Public Education 6.84%15.30%8.61%

93.3% of Strategic Education shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.6% of American Public Education shares are held by institutional investors. 3.6% of Strategic Education 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 endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, American Public Education had 18 more articles in the media than Strategic Education. MarketBeat recorded 34 mentions for American Public Education and 16 mentions for Strategic Education. Strategic Education's average media sentiment score of 0.93 beat American Public Education's score of 0.48 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)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Public Education
5 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

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$1.29B1.42$126.61M$6.0013.72
American Public Education$668.01M1.24$31.56M$2.4318.61

Strategic Education currently has a consensus price target of $95.33, indicating a potential upside of 15.79%. American Public Education has a consensus price target of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 31.27%. Given American Public Education's stronger consensus rating and higher possible 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
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 better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation and media sentiment.

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% 15.30% 8.61%
Stride 13.43%23.49%15.66%

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 hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

American Public Education currently has a consensus target price of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 31.27%. Stride has a consensus target price of $109.75, indicating a potential upside of 31.94%. Given Stride's higher probable upside, analysts clearly 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

In the previous week, American Public Education had 29 more articles in the media than Stride. MarketBeat recorded 34 mentions for American Public Education and 5 mentions for Stride. Stride's average media sentiment score of 0.74 beat American Public Education's score of 0.48 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
5 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Stride
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

American Public Education has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Stride has a beta of 0.11, indicating that its stock 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$668.01M1.24$31.56M$2.4318.61
Stride$2.52B1.37$338.19M$7.2011.55

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 superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, media sentiment, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations and dividends.

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 15.30% 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%15.30%8.61%

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 company insiders. Comparatively, 10.6% of American Public Education shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments 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 23 more articles in the media than Universal Technical Institute. MarketBeat recorded 34 mentions for American Public Education and 11 mentions for Universal Technical Institute. American Public Education's average media sentiment score of 0.48 beat Universal Technical Institute's score of 0.23 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)
3 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
American Public Education
5 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

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$668.01M1.24$31.56M$2.4318.61

Universal Technical Institute presently 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, research 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

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?

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

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$668.01M1.24$31.56M$2.4318.61
McGraw Hill$2.10B1.19$35.32M$0.2065.58

American Public Education presently has a consensus price target of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 31.27%. McGraw Hill has a consensus price target of $18.30, suggesting a potential upside of 39.53%. Given McGraw Hill's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe McGraw Hill 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
McGraw Hill
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
11 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80

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 endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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 63.04% 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%63.04%8.43%

In the previous week, American Public Education had 13 more articles in the media than McGraw Hill. MarketBeat recorded 34 mentions for American Public Education and 21 mentions for McGraw Hill. McGraw Hill's average media sentiment score of 0.88 beat American Public Education's score of 0.48 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
5 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
McGraw Hill
4 Very Positive mention(s)
5 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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 consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, media sentiment, profitability, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations.

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$668.01M1.24$31.56M$2.4318.61
Perdoceo Education$858.61M2.33$159.91M$2.7411.68

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

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%

American Public Education currently has a consensus target price of $59.38, suggesting a potential upside of 31.27%. Perdoceo Education has a consensus target price of $44.00, suggesting a potential upside of 37.46%. Given Perdoceo Education's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Perdoceo 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
Perdoceo Education
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

In the previous week, American Public Education had 28 more articles in the media than Perdoceo Education. MarketBeat recorded 34 mentions for American Public Education and 6 mentions for Perdoceo Education. Perdoceo Education's average media sentiment score of 0.65 beat American Public Education's score of 0.48 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
5 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Perdoceo Education
3 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 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, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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$827.80M$4.39B$13.23B$13.06B
Dividend YieldN/A2.83%54.81%10.45%
P/E Ratio18.6111.4046.7525.28
Price / Sales1.2419.7491.0376.27
Price / Cash19.1214.3326.4050.90
Price / Book2.643.284.336.24
Net Income$31.56M$239.91M$443.58M$347.60M
7 Day Performance-11.73%-2.28%-0.43%1.06%
1 Month Performance-8.13%-1.53%1.52%0.81%
1 Year Performance53.22%-4.57%0.69%20.90%

American Public Education Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
APEI
American Public Education
4.6256 of 5 stars
$45.23
0.0%
$59.38
+31.3%
+58.3%$827.80M$668.01M18.615,841
STRA
Strategic Education
4.9559 of 5 stars
$83.30
-0.5%
$95.33
+14.4%
+5.7%$1.85B$1.27B13.876,134
LRN
Stride
4.0952 of 5 stars
$78.87
-1.5%
$109.75
+39.1%
-47.1%$3.36B$2.41B12.188,600
UTI
Universal Technical Institute
4.4847 of 5 stars
$42.38
+2.6%
$44.80
+5.7%
-1.3%$2.33B$835.62M54.864,100
MH
McGraw Hill
4.3782 of 5 stars
$11.26
-2.0%
$18.47
+64.0%
-2.1%$2.16B$2.10B56.374,400

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This page (NASDAQ:APEI) was last updated on 8/15/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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