American Public Education, Inc.
- Open
- 50.09
- Day high
- 51.23
- Day low
- 49.14
- Prev close
- 51.18
- Volume
- 367K
- Mkt cap
- $930M
- P/E (TTM)
- 25.8
- EPS (TTM)
- $1.96
- P/B
- 3.0
- P/S
- 1.4
- Yield
- —
- Per share
- —
- ▼Insiders net selling -$762K over the last 3 months (0 open-market buys, 5 sales)
- 🏛Institutions accumulating (13F)
American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is a Consumer Defensive company listed on NASDAQ. The stock is up 67% over the past year. Over the trailing 3 months, insiders filed 0 open-market buys and 5 sales (SEC Form 4).
American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 3 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
APEI earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | $0.61 | $0.94 | +54.1% | $175M | +0.6% |
| Mar 12, 2026 | $0.37 | $0.68 | +82.1% | $976M | +543.9% |
| Aug 6, 2025 | $-0.07 | $-0.02 | +71.4% | $163M | +1.7% |
| Mar 6, 2025 | $0.54 | $0.63 | +16.7% | $164M | +1.5% |
| Mar 5, 2024 | $0.14 | $0.64 | +357.1% | $153M | +1.6% |
| Mar 14, 2023 | $-0.18 | $-0.27 | -50.0% | $152M | -0.1% |
| Mar 2, 2022 | $0.35 | $0.50 | +42.9% | $154M | +1.3% |
| Mar 9, 2021 | $0.42 | $0.47 | +11.9% | $86M | — |
| Mar 10, 2020 | $0.38 | $0.37 | -2.6% | $74M | -2.6% |
| Nov 12, 2019 | $0.01 | $0.11 | +2100.0% | $68M | +1000.0% |
| Mar 12, 2019 | $0.52 | $0.55 | +5.8% | $77M | +5.8% |
| Nov 6, 2018 | $0.31 | $0.33 | +6.5% | $73M | +6.5% |
APEI insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 2026 | Pianko Daniel S.director | Grant | 1,107 | $36.15 |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Beckett Thomasofficer: SVP, General Counsel | Sell | 2,000 | $54.00 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Beckett Thomasofficer: SVP, General Counsel | Sell | 2,587 | $52.44 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Beckett Thomasofficer: SVP, General Counsel | Sell | 5,213 | $51.39 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Beckett Thomasofficer: SVP, General Counsel | Sell | 200 | $53.01 |
| May 27, 2026 | Braner Michael Daviddirector, other: See Footnotes | Grant | 2,135 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Pianko Daniel S.director | Grant | 2,135 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Fabrega Anna M.director | Grant | 2,135 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Blevins Granetta B.director | Grant | 2,135 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Kenigsberg Jamesofficer: Int Chief Inno & Tech Officer | Tax | 1,286 | $51.50 |
| May 26, 2026 | Statuto Richard J.director | Grant | 2,135 | — |
| May 15, 2026 | Fernandes Nuno S.officer: President, APUS | Sell | 4,500 | $53.34 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Pianko Daniel S.director | Grant | 1,107 | $36.15 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | 325 CAPITAL LLCother: See Footnotes | Sell | 62,100 | $53.74 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | 325 CAPITAL LLCother: See Footnotes | Sell | 10,477 | $54.20 |
Source: APEI SEC Form 4 filings, latest Jul 2, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full APEI insider & 13F page →American Public Education, Inc. company profile
Overview
American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) is a for-profit education company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia. The company went public in 2007 and operates multiple postsecondary educational institutions focused primarily on online and campus-based degree programs. APEI has built its reputation as a leading provider of higher education to military personnel, veterans, and students pursuing careers in healthcare, particularly nursing. The company has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing, positioning itself as a significant player in the for-profit education sector with a focus on serving underserved student populations.
Business
American Public Education operates in the for-profit postsecondary education industry, providing degree and certificate programs through multiple educational institutions. The company operates through four primary segments that serve distinct student populations and educational needs. **American Public University System (APUS)** represents the company's flagship online education platform, generating approximately 50% of total revenue. APUS specializes in serving military personnel, veterans, and public service professionals through fully online degree programs. The university offers 130 degree programs and 111 certificate programs across fields including business administration, criminal justice, national security, military studies, intelligence, and homeland security. APUS has established itself as the number one provider of higher education to the U.S. military, with strong relationships within the Department of Defense and veteran communities. **Rasmussen University** accounts for roughly 35% of revenue and operates as a regionally accredited institution offering both online and campus-based programs. Rasmussen focuses primarily on nursing and healthcare education, operating multiple physical campuses across several states. The university provides practical nursing diplomas, associate degrees in nursing, and various allied health programs designed to address the ongoing nursing shortage in the United States. **Hondros College of Nursing** contributes approximately 12% of revenue and operates as a specialized nursing education institution with campus-based programs. Hondros offers diploma programs in practical nursing, associate degrees in nursing, and associate degrees in medical laboratory technology. The college has experienced consistent enrollment growth and focuses on preparing students for immediate entry into healthcare careers. **Graduate School USA** represents the smallest segment at about 3% of revenue, providing continuing education and professional development programs primarily to government employees and contractors. This segment offers specialized training and certificate programs designed for public sector professionals. The for-profit education industry serves students who often cannot access traditional higher education due to work schedules, geographic constraints, or specific career focus needs. These institutions typically offer flexible scheduling, online learning options, and career-focused curricula designed to prepare students for immediate employment in growing fields like healthcare, technology, and public service.
Revenue model
American Public Education generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged to students enrolled in its various degree and certificate programs. The company operates on a traditional educational services model where students pay tuition per credit hour or per program, with payment often facilitated through federal financial aid, military tuition assistance programs, employer reimbursement, and direct student payments. **APUS Revenue Model**: The online university benefits from a highly scalable business model with relatively low marginal costs per additional student. Military tuition assistance programs provide a stable revenue stream, as the Department of Defense covers educational expenses for active-duty personnel. Veterans using GI Bill benefits represent another significant revenue source. The 90/10 rule requires that at least 10% of revenue come from non-federal sources, which APUS manages through employer partnerships and international students. **Campus-Based Revenue Model**: Rasmussen and Hondros operate traditional campus-based programs with higher fixed costs due to physical facilities, clinical training requirements, and faculty-to-student ratio mandates. These institutions charge higher tuition rates but face capacity constraints based on available clinical placements and nursing faculty availability. Several factors influence the company's profitability margins. **Positive margin drivers** include enrollment growth, particularly in high-demand programs like nursing; successful student retention and completion rates; efficient marketing spend that generates quality leads; and the ability to maintain adequate faculty-to-student ratios without excessive wage inflation. The company's focus on essential services sectors like healthcare and military creates relatively recession-resistant demand. **Negative margin pressures** include nursing faculty shortages that limit enrollment capacity and drive up compensation costs; regulatory changes in federal financial aid programs; increased competition from traditional universities expanding online offerings; and the need for continuous investment in technology platforms and accreditation maintenance. Clinical training requirements for nursing programs create additional costs through partnerships with healthcare facilities. Marketing expenses can be volatile as the company competes for student attention in an increasingly crowded online education market. The company's financial performance is also sensitive to broader economic conditions affecting military spending, healthcare employment demand, and student ability to finance education. Changes in federal education policy, particularly regarding for-profit institutions, can significantly impact both enrollment patterns and regulatory compliance costs.
Competitive moat
American Public Education possesses a moderate competitive moat built primarily around specialized market positioning and regulatory barriers, though this moat faces ongoing competitive pressures. The company's strongest defensive position lies in its deep relationships within the military and veteran education market through APUS, where it has established itself as the leading provider of higher education to U.S. military personnel. This position benefits from institutional knowledge of military education benefits, specialized curriculum tailored to military careers, and established relationships with Department of Defense education offices. The nursing education segment provides another defensive position through accreditation barriers and clinical placement relationships. Nursing programs require specialized accreditation, qualified faculty with both academic credentials and clinical experience, and partnerships with healthcare facilities for student clinical rotations. These requirements create meaningful barriers to entry and limit competitive threats from purely online competitors. However, the company's moat is not particularly strong when viewed against broader competitive threats. Traditional public and private universities have increasingly expanded their online offerings, often with stronger brand recognition and lower tuition costs. The for-profit education sector faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny and reputational challenges that can impact student enrollment decisions. Additionally, alternative credentialing programs, corporate training initiatives, and technology-enabled learning platforms present growing competitive pressure. The company's defensive position is further weakened by its dependence on federal financial aid programs, which creates vulnerability to regulatory changes. The 90/10 rule and other federal compliance requirements add operational complexity and limit strategic flexibility. In nursing education, faculty shortages represent both an industry-wide challenge and a constraint on the company's ability to grow market share. While APEI has carved out defensible niches in military and nursing education, the overall competitive landscape suggests a company with modest competitive advantages rather than a strong, sustainable moat. Success depends heavily on operational execution, regulatory compliance, and the ability to adapt to changing educational preferences and delivery methods.
Risks & safety
American Public Education demonstrates a solid financial position with adequate margin of safety, though profitability has been inconsistent in recent years. **Liquidity and Solvency**: The company maintains strong liquidity with $187.5 million in cash and short-term investments as of Q1 2025, representing approximately 32% of total assets. Current ratio of 3.27 indicates excellent short-term debt coverage capability. Total debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34 is manageable, though the company carries preferred stock obligations that it plans to redeem in 2025. **Cash Generation**: Free cash flow has been positive in recent quarters at $33.1 million in Q1 2025, though this represents improvement from negative free cash flow in Q4 2024. Operating cash flow of $37.0 million in Q1 2025 demonstrates the business's ability to generate cash from operations. **Valuation Metrics**: Trading at P/E ratio of 11.2 based on recent earnings, which appears reasonable for the education sector. EV/EBITDA of 4.86 suggests modest valuation relative to cash generation capability. Price-to-book ratio of 1.28 indicates trading near book value. **Earnings Volatility**: Net income has been volatile, ranging from losses of $47.3 million in 2023 to positive $16.1 million in 2024. EBITDA margins have improved significantly, reaching $21.2 million in Q1 2025 compared to negative EBITDA in prior years. **Other Considerations**: Regulatory compliance costs and potential changes in federal education policy create ongoing risks. The company's planned institutional consolidation may generate cost savings but also involves execution risk. Strong cash position provides buffer against operational challenges and regulatory changes.
Recent development
Over the past few years, American Public Education has undergone significant strategic transformation focused on operational consolidation and market positioning optimization. The most significant development is the company's plan to combine APUS, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing into one consolidated institution by the fourth quarter of 2025. This consolidation aims to create operational efficiencies, enable cross-institutional program offerings, and establish distinct divisions focused on healthcare education and military/veteran education. The company has made substantial progress in turning around Rasmussen University's financial performance. After years of enrollment declines and negative EBITDA, Rasmussen achieved positive EBITDA in the second half of 2024 and has shown four consecutive quarters of enrollment growth. Management implemented new leadership, improved NCLEX pass rates through enhanced student support services, and optimized marketing strategies to drive this turnaround. Hondros College of Nursing has emerged as a consistent growth driver, delivering 20 consecutive quarters of enrollment growth and maintaining positive EBITDA. The college has expanded its program offerings and optimized campus locations to serve growing demand for nursing education. APUS has strengthened its market position through upgraded marketing capabilities and improved lead generation processes. The university maintained its leadership position in military education while expanding its reach to veteran populations. Recent investments in marketing infrastructure and admissions processes have resulted in improved enrollment trends and sustained profitability. The company has also undertaken significant cost optimization initiatives, including plans to sell two corporate buildings with expected proceeds of $22 million and the planned redemption of Series A preferred stock to reduce ongoing dividend obligations. These financial restructuring efforts are designed to simplify the capital structure and reduce operating expenses. Technology infrastructure improvements across all institutions have enhanced the student experience and operational efficiency. The company has invested in curriculum modernization, particularly at APUS, and improved IT systems to support the planned institutional consolidation.
APEI company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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