Top 3 Picks
2026 Outlook
Sector trends through 2026 center on expanded vocational enrollment and hybrid learning adoption, supported by policy tailwinds for career training. High-scoring operators with market caps from $1.7B to $5.4B are positioned to capture share as digital delivery lowers costs and broadens access. Growth is expected to remain selective, favoring companies with proven placement outcomes and international reach.
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Stock | Score | Price | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
GRAHAM HOLDINGS COMPANY
|
63.6 | $1135.89 | $5.0B |
|
2
|
Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
|
63.3 | $22.20 | $1.7B |
|
3
|
Laureate Education, Inc. Common Stock
|
59.5 | $36.76 | $4.6B |
|
4
|
Lincoln Educational Services
|
56.6 | $25.64 | $730M |
|
5
|
Adtalem Global Education Inc. Common Shares
|
54.1 | $98.54 | $5.4B |
|
6
|
Udemy, Inc. Common Stock
|
52.3 | $4.63 | $1.0B |
|
7
|
American Public Education, Inc.
|
50.5 | $45.36 | $701M |
|
8
|
Perdoceo Education Corporation
|
50.3 | $33.20 | $2.4B |
|
9
|
Stride, Inc.
|
49.7 | $84.68 | $6.3B |
|
10
|
Strategic Education, Inc. Common Stock
|
49.4 | $81.59 | $2.0B |
|
11
|
Grand Canyon Education, Inc
|
39.4 | $152.67 | $6.1B |
In-Depth Analysis: Top Education Stocks
GHC
Graham Holdings Co. is a diversified education and media company made up of subsidiaries. Firm operations include educational services; television broadcasting; online, print, and local news; home health and hospice care; and manufacturing. The Company segments into the following seven reportable segments: Kaplan International, Higher Education, Supplemental Education, Television Broadcasting, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Automotive. The majority of revenue comes from …
Graham Holdings operates Kaplan subsidiaries that deliver test preparation, professional training, and higher education services, positioning it as a key player in the Education sector where demand for workforce upskilling continues to expand.
GHC reports a 10.7% profit margin and 11.9% ROE alongside 7.1% revenue growth, reflecting efficient operations and stable returns, while the 9.0 P/E ratio signals a conservative valuation relative to earnings.
The 9.0 P/E offers potential multiple expansion as education revenue scales in 2026 amid rising lifelong learning trends. Diversified segments beyond education provide downside protection against cyclical enrollment shifts. Combined with 7.1% top-line growth and 10.7% margins, GHC presents a data-supported entry point for value-oriented investors targeting sector recovery.
UTI
Universal Technical Institute Inc is an educational institution. It provides undergraduate degree, as well as certificate programs for technicians in the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine fields. The company's reportable segment which includes Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges, Corporate. Majority of the revenue is generated from UTI segment which provides different kinds of degree and …
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. matters in the Education sector as a specialized provider of undergraduate degrees and certificate programs training technicians in automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, and marine fields, directly addressing workforce needs in essential technical trades.
UTI reports a 3.9% profit margin alongside 10.5% ROE and 7.2% revenue growth, indicating modest but stable financial health with positive top-line momentum, though the 34.3 P/E reflects elevated valuation on limited earnings.
Investors should consider buying UTI in 2026 as sustained 7.2% revenue growth aligns with rising demand for skilled technicians amid labor shortages in transportation and marine sectors. The 10.5% ROE and Tradestie Score of 63.3/100 point to potential margin expansion from 3.9% as enrollment scales. A P/E of 34.3 prices in growth that vocational education trends could deliver through 2026.
LAUR
Laureate Education Inc is an international community of universities. The company provides higher education programs and services to students through an international network of licensed universities and higher education institutions. Its geographical segments include Peru and Mexico.
Laureate Education operates an international network of licensed universities focused on higher education in Peru and Mexico, serving as a primary provider of post-secondary programs in Latin America's growing education markets.
Laureate's 17.6% profit margin and 29.3% ROE reflect strong earnings efficiency and capital returns, while 17.5% revenue growth underscores expanding enrollment and operational scale in its core segments.
LAUR's combination of 17.5% revenue growth and 29.3% ROE positions it for continued market share gains in high-demand emerging education markets through 2026. The 16.4 P/E ratio offers reasonable entry valuation relative to earnings power, and the 59.5/100 Tradestie Score signals improving fundamentals that could drive multiple expansion as Peru and Mexico operations scale.
LINC
Lincoln Educational Services Corp provides diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to high school graduates and working adults. The company offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades, healthcare services, hospitality services, and business and information technology. Its reportable segments include; Campus Operations, and Transitional. The majority of the revenue is generated from the Campus Operations segment which includes all campuses that are …
Lincoln Educational Services matters in the Education sector by delivering career-oriented post-secondary programs in automotive technology, skilled trades, healthcare services, hospitality, and IT to high school graduates and working adults, addressing persistent workforce skill gaps in vocational fields.
LINC reports a 4.0% profit margin alongside 11.9% ROE, reflecting moderate profitability and equity efficiency, while 22.4% revenue growth signals operational expansion that offsets thin margins despite a 34.9 P/E multiple.
Investors should consider LINC in 2026 on the back of 22.4% revenue growth driven by demand in high-need vocational programs, which could lift margins above 4.0% through scale; the 11.9% ROE and 56.6/100 Tradestie Score indicate improving financial health that supports earnings expansion at the current 34.9 P/E valuation.
ATGE
Adtalem Global Education Inc is an American for-profit educational company that operates various university and educational programs. The company has three segments namely Chamberlain; Walden; and Medical and Veterinary. It derives maximum revenue from Chamberlain segment.
Adtalem Global Education Inc. operates Chamberlain, Walden, and Medical and Veterinary segments, with Chamberlain driving the majority of revenue as a leading provider of nursing and healthcare education programs in the U.S. for-profit sector.
The company reports a 13.4% profit margin and 18.0% ROE alongside 12.4% revenue growth, reflecting efficient operations and strong returns on equity in its core educational segments, with a P/E of 14.2 indicating reasonable valuation.
ATGE's 12.4% revenue growth and 18.0% ROE position it to capitalize on sustained demand for medical and veterinary training through 2026, particularly via Chamberlain expansion. A P/E of 14.2 offers attractive entry for investors seeking sector exposure with above-average profitability. Tradestie Score of 54.1/100 highlights balanced fundamentals for potential upside in healthcare education enrollment trends.
UDMY
Udemy Inc operates a marketplace platform at the center of a vibrant knowledge network. The company operates under two operating and reportable segments Consumer and Enterprise, out of which the Enterprise segment derives the maximum revenue. Geographically, the company derives maximum revenue from North America. The company leverages data, technology, and insights for effective learning experiences. It helps individuals and …
Udemy operates a central marketplace platform in the Education sector, connecting learners with instructors through its Consumer and Enterprise segments where Enterprise accounts for the majority of revenue.
Udemy reports a profit margin of 0.5% and ROE of 1.9%, alongside -3.0% revenue growth and a P/E ratio of 167.7, reflecting thin profitability and stretched valuation.
Enterprise segment dominance positions Udemy for revenue stabilization and margin expansion beyond the current 0.5% profit margin by 2026 as corporate training demand grows. The platform's network effects and sector tailwinds in online education could support earnings recovery, making the stock attractive despite the 52.3/100 Tradestie Score and -3.0% revenue trend.
APEI
American Public Education Inc provides online and campus based postsecondary education including various undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The fields of study include business administration, health science, technology, criminal justice, education, liberal arts, national security, military studies, intelligence, and homeland security. There are three reporting segments: the American Public University segment which is the key revenue generator; the Rasmussen University …
American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) matters in the Education sector as a provider of online and campus-based postsecondary programs in high-priority fields including national security, military studies, health sciences, and technology, targeting underserved demographics such as active-duty personnel.
APEI's 6.8% profit margin and 15.6% ROE reflect efficient equity utilization and moderate profitability, while 5.5% revenue growth and a P/E of 18.5 indicate stable financial health at a reasonable valuation relative to earnings.
APEI's emphasis on military and national security education positions it to capture sustained demand growth in 2026 beyond the current 5.5% revenue pace. Its 15.6% ROE supports potential margin expansion from operational efficiencies, and the 18.5 P/E combined with a 50.5 Tradestie Score offers entry at balanced valuation for upside in online postsecondary expansion.
PRDO
Perdoceo Education Corp is an American for-profit education company that focuses on quality postsecondary education online to a diverse student population, along with campus-based and blended learning programs. The company's important segments include the American InterContinental University, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, and Colorado Technical University. These universities provide undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs focusing on …
Perdoceo Education Corporation matters in the Education sector as a provider of online and blended postsecondary programs through institutions like American InterContinental University, addressing demand for accessible higher education among diverse student populations.
Perdoceo's 20.6% profit margin and 17.5% ROE reflect strong profitability and efficient equity utilization, while its 12.1 P/E ratio signals reasonable valuation relative to earnings despite 1.8% revenue growth.
Investors should consider PRDO in 2026 given the low 12.1 P/E multiple that offers potential re-rating as online education demand scales. High margins and ROE support earnings resilience and capital returns amid sector growth. A neutral 50.3/100 Tradestie Score leaves room for sentiment improvement if enrollment trends accelerate.
LRN
Stride Inc is an American online educational company. It offers alternative programs to traditional on-campus schooling. It also operates state-funded virtual charter schools around the United States. The educational programs for K-12 students are usually monitored by parents and provide virtual classroom environments where teachers meet with students online, by phone, or in-person. The company's contractual agreements with various school …
Stride, Inc. (LRN) matters in the Education sector as a leading operator of state-funded virtual charter schools and parent-monitored K-12 online programs, providing scalable alternatives to traditional on-campus schooling across the United States.
Stride posts a 13.4% profit margin and 21.7% ROE, reflecting efficient capital use and solid earnings power, while its 12.0 P/E ratio indicates reasonable valuation despite a 2.7% revenue decline.
Investors should consider LRN in 2026 given the 12.0 P/E paired with 21.7% ROE, which supports potential multiple expansion as virtual education demand normalizes. The company's established network of state-funded online programs positions it to capture incremental enrollment without heavy capex, offsetting the modest revenue contraction.
STRA
Strategic Education Inc. is an education services company that provides access to high-quality education through campus-based and online post-secondary education offerings, as well as through programs to develop job-ready skills for high-demand markets. The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries Strayer University and Capella University, both accredited post-secondary institutions of higher education located in the United States, as well as Torrens …
Strategic Education, Inc. matters in the Education sector as a provider of campus-based and online post-secondary programs plus job-ready skills training for high-demand markets, serving both traditional students and workforce upskilling needs through its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
STRA's 10.5% profit margin and 8.2% ROE reflect moderate profitability with limited capital efficiency, while 4.9% revenue growth and a 13.7 P/E ratio point to stable operations and fair valuation without excessive leverage.
Investors should consider buying STRA in 2026 as its online and skills-focused offerings align with sustained demand for flexible post-secondary education, potentially lifting revenue growth above 4.9%. The 13.7 P/E provides a reasonable entry for expected ROE improvement from 8.2% through scale efficiencies in its subsidiary network.
Methodology
Stocks are ranked using the Tradestie Score, a proprietary 0-100 rating that combines fundamental quality (profitability, balance sheet strength), growth metrics (revenue and earnings growth), valuation (P/E, PEG ratio), and momentum factors. Scores are updated daily based on the latest market data. Learn more about our methodology.