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Upturn AI Summary - About
American Public Education Inc(APEI)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for APEI
10/29/2026: APEI (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
American Public Education Inc is a provider of online and campus-based higher education primarily catering to military and public service populations, as well as students in healthcare. The company’s primary strength lies in its niche market position and diversified degree programs, particularly in nursing. While it has successfully grown through acquisitions, APEI faces risks from regulatory scrutiny, intense competition from non-profit institutions, and enrollment volatility. The stock may suit growth-oriented investors looking for exposure to specialized education sectors, but success depends on executive execution and market stabilization. Investors should monitor enrollment numbers and federal education funding developments as key performance indicators.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The company offers potential for growth in specialized sectors but faces significant enrollment and competitive hurdles. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock lacks consistent upward price momentum and is subject to sector-wide volatility. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The stock may appear attractively valued but requires a clear thesis on enrollment stabilization. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | APEI does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Higher education stocks carry regulatory and operational risks that make them unsuitable for low-risk investors. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | High | The stock is susceptible to sharp moves based on enrollment data and regulatory news. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Valuation is sensitive to future earnings capacity in a highly competitive industry. |
| Competition risk (Education) | High | Intense competition from both non-profit and for-profit peers threatens margins and growth. |
| Business quality | Medium | The business relies heavily on specific niche markets and federal funding support. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | No dividend payments are provided to shareholders. |
| Execution risk | Medium / high | Successfully integrating and scaling acquisitions like Rasmussen is critical to long-term success. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 152.13% | Avg. Invested days 38 | Today’s Advisory WEAK BUY |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/29/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 805.63M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 17.75 | 1Y Target Price 62.83 |
Price to earnings Ratio 17.75 | 1Y Target Price 62.83 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 225.6K shares | Beta 1.41 | 52 Weeks Range 30.20 - 61.59 | Updated Date 10/29/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 30.20 - 61.59 | Updated Date 10/29/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.48 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Education Services | Tuition and fee revenue from APUS and Rasmussen University programs. | APEI generates income primarily through tuition paid by students enrolled in its various online and campus degree programs. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 17.75 | Forward PE 15.17 | Enterprise Value 778.86M | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.21 |
Enterprise Value 778.86M | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.21 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.17 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.94 | Shares Outstanding 18.30M | Shares Floating 14.94M |
Shares Outstanding 18.30M | Shares Floating 14.94M | ||
Percent Insiders 4.95 | Percent Institutions 108.85 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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