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American Public Education Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 12 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 13 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter revenue fell 3.5%: Fourth-quarter revenue was $158.3 million, down 3.5%. Management cited the federal government shutdown and the July 2025 sale of Graduate School USA. Excluding that sale, revenue would have been flat. Source
  • Full-year revenue rose 3.9%: Full-year 2025 revenue was $648.9 million, up 3.9%. Management cited the same shutdown and the Graduate School USA sale as factors in the year's results. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA up 18.6%: Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $85.7 million, up 18.6%. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $28.7 million, down 8.6%, which management attributed to the fourth-quarter government shutdown. Source
  • Rasmussen revenue and income rose: Rasmussen fourth-quarter revenue was $66.6 million, against $57.5 million, and operating income was $7.3 million against $3.6 million. Full-year revenue was $246.2 million. Source
  • APUS registrations fell 15.3%: APUS net course registrations were 82,200 in the fourth quarter, against 97,100 a year earlier, a decrease of 15.3%. Source
  • Debt refinancing cut borrowing rate: Refinancing completed March 9, 2026 reduced the borrowing rate by 375 basis points at current leverage, and the principal was also reduced. Source
  • Education Department lifted Rasmussen restrictions: Management said the Department of Education lifted the Letter of Credit and growth restrictions that had kept Rasmussen from opening campuses and adding programs for six years. Source

“Further, the Department of Education lifted both the Letter of Credit and the growth restrictions that had prevented Rasmussen from opening new campuses and adding new programs for the past six years.”

Angela Selden, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
APU Global net registrations Sourcefirst quarter 2026106,600, +4.0% y/yNew
RU Health+ enrollment Sourcefirst quarter 202619,400, +7.8% y/yNew
Revenue Sourcefirst quarter 2026$173.0 - $175.0 millionNew
Net income available to common stockholders Sourcefirst quarter 2026$11.1 - $12.2 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefirst quarter 2026$25.5 - $27.0 millionNew
Diluted EPS Sourcefirst quarter 2026$0.58 - $0.64 per shareNew
Revenue Sourcefull year 2026$685.0 - $695.0 millionNew
Net income available to common stockholders Sourcefull year 2026$41.3 - $47.6 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$91.5 - $100.5 millionNew
Diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$2.15 - $2.47 per shareNew
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026$28.0 - $32.0 millionNew
Interest expense savings Sourceannual, following the March 2026 refinancingapproximately $3.7 millionNew
Share repurchases Sourcenot statedup to $50 million in the aggregateNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First guidance given for the first quarter of 2026 and for full-year 2026. Prior guidance covered the 2025 periods only. Source
  • New: Debt refinancing completed March 9, 2026, reducing the borrowing rate by 375 basis points at current leverage levels. Source
  • New: New $50 million share repurchase program authorized March 10, 2026, replacing the prior repurchase authorizations. Source
  • New: Department of Education lifted the Letter of Credit and the growth restrictions on Rasmussen campus openings and new programs. Source
  • Ended: Preferred stock outstanding went from 400 shares at year-end 2024 to none at year-end 2025. Source
  • Ended: Rasmussen is now described with 18 campuses in five states, against 20 campuses in six states in the third-quarter release. Source
  • New: Corporate buildings were sold as part of the simplification described by management. Source

Fourth-quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth-quarter revenue fell 3.5%: Fourth-quarter revenue was $158.3 million, down 3.5%. Management cited the federal government shutdown and the July 2025 sale of Graduate School USA. Excluding that sale, revenue would have been flat. Source
  • Full-year revenue rose 3.9%: Full-year 2025 revenue was $648.9 million, up 3.9%. Management cited the same shutdown and the Graduate School USA sale as factors in the year's results. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS rose: Full-year net income available to common stockholders was $25.3 million, and diluted EPS was $1.36 against $0.55. Fourth-quarter diluted EPS was $0.67, against $0.63. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA up 18.6%: Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $85.7 million, up 18.6%. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $28.7 million, down 8.6%, which management attributed to the fourth-quarter government shutdown. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose 26.8%: Cash flows from operations for 2025 were $62.0 million, an increase of 26.8%. Source

Segment performance

  • Rasmussen revenue and income rose: Rasmussen fourth-quarter revenue was $66.6 million, against $57.5 million, and operating income was $7.3 million against $3.6 million. Full-year revenue was $246.2 million. Source
  • Hondros revenue rose on enrollment: Hondros fourth-quarter revenue grew 9.5% to $20.7 million, driven by increased enrollments. Full-year revenue grew 11.4% to $75.0 million. Source
  • APUS fourth-quarter revenue and income fell: APUS fourth-quarter revenue was $71.0 million, against $82.4 million, and operating income was $20.0 million, against $27.3 million. Full-year revenue was $319.8 million, up 0.9%. Source
  • Corporate revenue minimal after GSUSA sale: Corporate and other revenue was negative $60 thousand in the fourth quarter, against $5.3 million a year earlier. Graduate School USA was sold in July 2025. Source

“We simplified and strengthened APEI by redeeming our preferred equity, and by selling corporate buildings and Graduate School USA.”

Angela Selden, President and Chief Executive Officer

Enrollment and demand

  • APUS registrations fell 15.3%: APUS net course registrations were 82,200 in the fourth quarter, against 97,100 a year earlier, a decrease of 15.3%. Source
  • Rasmussen enrollment grew 8.9%: Rasmussen total student enrollment was 15,900 in the quarter, up 8.9% from 14,600. Source
  • Hondros enrollment grew 9.2%: Hondros total student enrollment was 4,000 in the quarter, up 9.2% from 3,700. Source
  • Shutdown cited for APUS revenue drop: Management attributed the 13.8% fourth-quarter APUS revenue decline primarily to the federal government shutdown. Source

Costs and margins

  • Instructional costs fell in quarter: Fourth-quarter instructional costs and services were $69.0 million, against $71.7 million a year earlier. Selling and promotional costs were $30.9 million, against $29.1 million. Source
  • Full-year selling costs rose: Full-year selling and promotional expense was $137.3 million, against $128.8 million. General and administrative expense was $144.6 million, against $142.0 million. Source
  • Severance and transition excluded from EBITDA: Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA excluded $2,244 thousand of severance, $821 thousand of transition services and $228 thousand of other professional fees. Source
  • Consolidated margin 18%, down from 19%: Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin was 18% in the fourth quarter, against 19% a year earlier. Full-year margin was 13%, against 12%. Source
  • Rasmussen EBITDA margin rose to 14%: Rasmussen EBITDA margin was 14% in the fourth quarter, against 10% a year earlier. Full-year margin was 5%, against -5%. Source
  • APUS EBITDA margin fell to 30%: APUS EBITDA margin was 30% in the fourth quarter, against 35% a year earlier. Full-year margin was 30% in both years. Source

“As we introduce full year 2026 guidance, we remain committed to driving sustained growth, expanding margins, and delivering on our strategic priorities to continue to build long-term shareholder value.”

Angela Selden, President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital, cash and balance sheet

  • Debt refinancing cut borrowing rate: Refinancing completed March 9, 2026 reduced the borrowing rate by 375 basis points at current leverage, and the principal was also reduced. Source
  • Cash rose to $176.5 million: Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $176.5 million at December 31, 2025, against $158.9 million a year earlier. Long-term debt, net was $94.7 million. Source
  • Common shares outstanding rose: Common shares outstanding were 18,125,860 at year-end 2025, against 17,712,575 at year-end 2024. Source
  • Preferred equity fully redeemed: Preferred shares went from 400 at year-end 2024 to none at year-end 2025. The income statement shows a $3,501 thousand loss on redemption of preferred stock. Source

Strategy, regulation and portfolio

  • Education Department lifted Rasmussen restrictions: Management said the Department of Education lifted the Letter of Credit and growth restrictions that had kept Rasmussen from opening campuses and adding programs for six years. Source
  • Preferred redeemed and buildings sold: Management listed redeeming preferred equity and selling corporate buildings and Graduate School USA as steps that simplified and strengthened the company. Source
  • Rasmussen footprint now 18 campuses: Rasmussen is described as operating 18 campuses in five states and online, serving approximately 15,900 students. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
APUS net course registrations, Q4 2025 Source82,200 (Q4 2024: 97,100)
Rasmussen total student enrollment, Q4 2025 Source15,900 (Q4 2024: 14,600)
Hondros total student enrollment, Q4 2025 Source4,000 (Q4 2024: 3,700)
Students served, approximate Source109,000

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management linked the fourth-quarter revenue decline and the adjusted EBITDA decline to the federal government shutdown in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Demand: APUS fourth-quarter net course registrations fell 15.3%, while Rasmussen and Hondros enrollment rose. Source
  • Regulatory: Department of Education restrictions had limited Rasmussen campus openings and new programs for six years; management reports they have been lifted. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said it set ambitious 2025 financial and operating goals and reported delivering them, with revenue up 3.9% and adjusted EBITDA up 18.6%. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.