American Public Education Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

PR Newswire

Q2 2025 Revenue, Net Income, and Adjusted EBITDA Exceeded Guidance

Simplification Continues with Sale of Graduate School USA, Redemption of All Preferred Equity, and Sale of Two Administrative Office Buildings


CHARLES TOWN, W.V.
, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), a portfolio of education companies providing online and campus-based postsecondary education to over 105,000 students through three subsidiary institutions, has reported unaudited financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.

Key Second Quarter 2025 Highlights

  • Consolidated revenue for Q2 2025 increased 6.5% year-over-year to $162.8 million.
  • Net loss available to common stockholders in Q2 2025 was ($0.3) million, which reflects a $3.5 million loss on the redemption of the preferred equity, compared to a net loss available to common stockholders of ($1.2) million in Q2 2024.
  • Q2 2025 Adjusted EBITDA increased 38.2% to $15.1 million compared to $10.9 million in Q2 2024.
  • Reconfirming full year 2025 revenue estimate of between $650 million and $660 million. Resetting guidance for full year 2025 net income available to common stockholders to a range between $18 and $24 million to reflect losses associated with the sale of Graduate School USA and a loss on the preferred equity redemption. Increasing guidance for full year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA to a range between $81 million and $88 million.
  • Simplification continues with the redemption of all of the Series A Senior Preferred Stock, and the sale of two administrative office buildings in Charles Town, WV.

Key Regulatory Updates

  • In May 2025, the Department of Education released Rasmussen University (“RU”) from the temporary growth restrictions that restricted Rasmussen University from adding new programs and locations and were imposed in connection with APEI’s acquisition of Rasmussen University in 2021.
  • In addition, also in May 2025, ED released RU’s $24.5 million letter of credit stemming from its 2020 composite score, and the related cash was thereby no longer restricted.

Key Subsequent Event

  • APEI completed the sale of Graduate School USA on July 25, 2025.

Management Commentary

“At APEI, we continue to simplify our business, execute on our growth strategy and deliver on our stated financial results,” said Angela Selden, President and Chief Executive Officer of APEI. “We exceeded the expectations we set for the second quarter with continued enrollment growth in our education units.”

“Our balance sheet was further improved through the redemption of our preferred equity, which will save approximately $6 million of go-forward annual cash expenses, and completed the sale of two corporate administrative buildings. In the second quarter, the Department of Education released the letter of credit of $24.5 million of cash that was previously held as restricted cash on our balance sheet. Finally, we are pleased to announce that we have completed the sale of GSUSA, which closed on July 25, 2025.” 

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

  • Total consolidated revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2025, was $162.8 million, an increase of $9.9 million, or 6.5%, compared to $152.9 million in the prior year period. The increase in revenue was primarily due to a $6.5 million increase in revenue in our RU Segment, a $4.7 million increase in our American Public University System (“APUS”) Segment, and a $1.7 million increase in our Hondros College of Nursing (“HCN”) Segment.
  • Total costs and expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2025, were $155.7 million, an increase of $5.1 million, or 3.4%, compared to $150.7 million in the prior year. The increase in costs and expenses was due primarily to increases in employee compensation costs, professional fees, and classroom and course materials costs, partially offset by decreases in information technology costs, depreciation and amortization expenses, and occupancy costs.

    • Instructional costs and services expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2025, were $78.4 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 2.9%, compared to $76.2 million in the prior year period.
    • Selling and promotional expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2025, were $35.0 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 3.6%, compared to $33.8 million in the prior year
    • General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2025, were $38.1 million, an increase of $3.7 million, or 10.8%, compared to $34.4 million in the prior year and include $1.7 million in professional fees related to the planned combination of APUS, RU, and HCN into one consolidated institution that will be a system encompassing all APUS, RU, and HCN programs, campuses, and operations and the sale of Graduate School USA. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 23.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2025, from 22.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
  • Net loss available to common stockholders was ($0.3) million, or ($0.02) per diluted common share for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a net loss of ($1.2) million, or ($0.06) per diluted common share in the prior year period. Included in the second quarter 2025 net loss is a $3.5 million loss on redemption of preferred stock.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $10.9 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA excludes adjustment for stock compensation, loss on disposals of long-lived assets, transition services, severance expense, other professional fees, and loss on leases.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was $176.6 million at June 30, 2025, compared to $158.9 million and December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $17.6 million, or 11.1%. Total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents was $174.9 million at June 30, 2025 compared to $131.9 million at December 31, 2024.

Registrations and Enrollment

Q2 2025

Q2 2024

% Change



American Public University System

1

For the three months ended June 30,
  Net Course Registrations

96,400

89,800

7.3 %



Rasmussen University

2

For the three months ended June 30,
  Total Student Enrollment

14,600

13,600

7.4 %



Hondros College of Nursing

3

For the three months ended June 30,
  Total Student Enrollment

3,700

3,300

13.5 %

1.

APUS Net Course Registrations represents the approximate aggregate number of courses for which students remain enrolled after the date by which they may drop a course without financial penalty. Excludes students in doctoral programs.

2.

RU Total Student Enrollment represents students in an active status as of the full-term census or billing date.

3.

HCN Total Student Enrollment represents the approximate number of students enrolled in a course after the date by which students may drop a course without financial penalty.

Second Quarter and Full Year 2025 Outlook

The following statements are based on APEI’s current expectations. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason unless required by law. Refer to APEI’s earnings conference call and presentation for further details.


Third Quarter 2025 Guidance


(Approximate)


(% Yr/Yr Change)

APUS Net course registrations

97,000 to 99,000


5% to 7%

HCN Student enrollment

3,700


18 %

RU Student enrollment

14,900


10 %

 – On-ground Healthcare

6,700


12 %

 – Online

8,200


11 %


($ in millions except EPS)

APEI Consolidated revenue

$159.0 – $161.0


4% to 5%

APEI Net loss/income available to common stockholders

($2.9) – ($0.8)


n.a.

APEI Adjusted EBITDA

$15.0 – $17.0


16% to 32%

APEI Diluted EPS

($0.15) – ($0.04)


n.a.

 

 


Full Year 2025 Guidance


(Approximate)


(% Yr/Yr Change)


($ in millions)

APEI Consolidated Revenue

$650 – $660


4% to 6%

APEI Net income available to common stockholders

$18 – $24


84% to 142%

APEI Adjusted EBITDA

 $81 – $88


12% to 22%

APEI Capital Expenditure (CapEx)

$18 – $22


(14%) to 4%

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains the non-GAAP financial measures of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) and adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA less non-cash expenses such as stock compensation and non-recurring expenses). APEI believes that the use of these measures is useful because they allow investors to better evaluate APEI’s operating profit and cash generation capabilities.

For the three months ended June 30, 2025, and 2024, adjusted EBITDA excludes stock compensation, loss on disposals of long-lived assets, loss on assets held for sale, other professional fees and loss on leases.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The principal limitation of our non-GAAP measures is that they exclude expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded. In addition, non-GAAP measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which expenses are excluded.

APEI is presenting EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA in connection with its GAAP results and urges investors to review the reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to the comparable GAAP financial measures that is included in the tables following this press release (under the captions “GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA,” and “GAAP Outlook Net Income to Outlook Adjusted EBITDA”) and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business.

About American Public Education

American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), through its institutions American Public University System, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing provides education that transforms lives, advances careers, and improves communities.

APUS, which operates through American Military University and American Public University, is the leading educator to active-duty military and veteran students* and serves approximately 88,000 adult learners worldwide via accessible and affordable higher education.

Rasmussen University is a 125-year-old nursing and health sciences-focused institution that serves approximately 14,900 students across its 20 campuses in six states and online. It also has schools of Business, Technology, Design, Early Childhood Education and Justice Studies.

Hondros College of Nursing focuses on educating pre-licensure nursing students at eight campuses (six in Ohio, one in Indiana, and one in Michigan). It is the largest educator of PN (LPN) nurses in the state of Ohio** and serves approximately 3,700 total students.

Both APUS and Rasmussen University are institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Hondros is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Graduate School USA is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). For additional information, visit www.apei.com

*Based on FY 2019 Department of Defense tuition assistance data, as reported by Military Times, and Veterans Administration student enrollment data as of 2024.

**Based on information compiled by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and Ohio Board of Nursing.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release regarding APEI or its subsidiaries that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about APEI and the industry. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar words or their opposites. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future path, expected growth, registration, enrollments, revenues, net income, Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA, capital expenditures, the growth and profitability of Rasmussen University and plans with respect to recent, current and future initiatives.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to: APEI’s failure to comply with regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, including the “90/10 Rule”, and to maintain institutional accreditation and the impacts of any actions APEI may take to prevent or correct such failure; changes in the postsecondary education regulatory environment as a result of U.S. federal elections, including any changes by or as a result of actions of the current administration to the operations of the Department of Education or changes to or the elimination or implementation of laws, regulations, standards, policies, and practices; potential or actual government shutdowns; the impact, timing, and projected benefits of the planned combination of APUS, RU, and HCN into one consolidated institution; APEI’s dependence on the effectiveness of its ability to attract students who persist in its institutions’ programs; changing market demands;  declines in enrollments at APEI’s subsidiaries; APEI’s inability to effectively market its institutions’ programs; APEI’s inability to maintain strong relationships with the military and maintain course registrations and enrollments from military students; the loss or disruption of APEI’s ability to receive funds under Title IV or tuition assistance programs or the reduction, elimination, or suspension of federal funds; adverse effects of changes APEI makes to improve the student experience and enhance the ability to identify and enroll students who are likely to succeed; APEI’s need to successfully adjust to future market demands by updating existing programs and developing new programs; APEI’s loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or ability to process Title IV financial aid; economic and market conditions and changes in interest rates; difficulties involving acquisitions; APEI’s indebtedness and preferred stock, including the refinancing or redemption thereof; APEI’s dependence on and the need to continue to invest in its technology infrastructure, including with respect to third-party vendors; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of APEI’s cost savings and revenue generating efforts; APEI’s ability to manage and limit its exposure to bad debt; and the various risks described in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in APEI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, unless required by law, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Company Contact
Frank Tutalo
Director, Public Relations
American Public Education, Inc.
[email protected]
571-358-3042

Investor Relations

Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA
MZ North America
Direct: 561-489-5315
[email protected]

 


American Public Education, Inc.


Consolidated Statement of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)


Three Months Ended


June 30,


2025


2024

(unaudited)

Revenue 

$

162,766

$

152,895

Costs and expenses: 

Instructional costs and services 

78,423

76,216

Selling and promotional 

35,048

33,838

General and administrative 

38,147

34,426

Depreciation and amortization

4,088

5,232

Loss on leases 

779

Loss on disposals of long-lived assets

35

184

Total costs and expenses

155,741

150,675

Income from operations before

interest and income taxes

7,025

2,220

Interest expense, net

(1,108)

(785)

Income before income taxes

5,917

1,435

Income tax expense

1,421

(16)

Equity investment loss

(1,080)

Net income

$

4,496

$

371

Preferred stock dividends

1,319

1,531

Loss on redemption of preferred stock

3,501

Net loss available to common stockholders

$

(324)

$

(1,160)

Loss per common share: 

Basic

$

(0.02)

$

(0.07)

Diluted

$

(0.02)

$

(0.06)

Weighted average number of 

   common shares:

Basic

18,034

17,627

Diluted

18,597

18,134


Three Months Ended


Segment Information: 


June 30,


2025


2024

Revenue:

  APUS Segment

$

81,731

$

77,048

  RU Segment

$

59,521

$

53,034

  HCN Segment

$

18,134

$

16,409

  Corporate and other1

$

3,380

$

6,404

Income (loss) from operations before

interest and income taxes:

  APUS Segment

$

21,442

$

18,291

  RU Segment

$

(1,976)

$

(8,826)

  HCN Segment

$

(402)

$

(744)

  Corporate and other

$

(12,039)

$

(6,501)

 


American Public Education, Inc.


Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In thousands)


As of June 30, 2025


As of December 31, 2024


ASSETS


(Unaudited)

Current assets:

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

$

176,579

$

158,941

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $19,788 in 2025 and

$19,280 in 2024

37,575

62,465

Prepaid expenses

18,308

13,748

Income tax receivable

2,496

949

Assets held for sale

24,469

Total current assets

234,958

260,572

Property and equipment, net

72,613

73,383

Operating lease assets, net

89,477

94,776

Deferred income taxes

45,957

47,311

Intangible assets, net

28,221

28,221

Goodwill

59,593

59,593

Other assets, net

6,550

6,247

Total assets

$

537,369

$

570,103


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

10,067

$

7,847

Accrued compensation and benefits

20,317

20,546

Accrued liabilities

14,109

13,735

Deferred revenue and student deposits

24,967

23,474

Lease liabilities, current

13,447

13,553

Total current liabilities

82,907

79,155

Lease liabilities, long-term

88,160

93,645

Long-term debt, net

94,062

93,424

Total liabilities

$

265,129

$

266,224

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 400

shares issued and outstanding in 2024, ($117,439 liquidation

preference per share, $46,976 in aggregate, for 2024) (Note 12)

39,691

Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;

18,061,599 issued and outstanding in 2025; 17,712,575 issued and

outstanding in 2024

180

177

Additional paid-in capital

306,756

305,823

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(28)

(7)

Accumulated deficit

(34,668)

(41,805)

Total stockholders’ equity

272,240

303,879

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

537,369

$

570,103

 


GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of

the Company’s reported GAAP net income to the

calculation of adjusted EBITDA for the three and six

months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:


Three Months Ended


Six Months Ended


June 30,


June 30,


(in thousands, except per share data)


2025


2024


2025


2024

Net (loss) income available to common stockholders

$

(324)

$

(1,160)

$

7,137

$

(2,179)

Preferred dividends

1,319

1,531

2,751

3,066

Loss on redemption of preferred stock

3,501

3,501

Net income

$

4,496

$

371

$

13,389

$

887

Income tax expense

1,421

(16)

3,887

1,197

Interest expense, net

1,108

785

1,995

911

Equity investment loss 

1,080

4,407

Depreciation and amortization

4,088

5,232

8,080

10,360


EBITDA

11,113

7,452

27,351

17,762

Loss on assets held for sale

1,527

Loss on leases

779

3,715

Other professional fees

1,715

2,704

Stock compensation

2,238

1,823

4,501

3,741

Loss on disposals of long-lived assets

35

184

265

212

Transition services costs

182

2,047

Severance

505

505

Adjusted EBITDA

$

15,101

$

10,925

$

36,348

$

27,982

 


GAAP Outlook Net Income to Outlook Adjusted EBITDA:

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the Company’s outlook GAAP net income to

the calculation of outlook adjusted EBITDA for the three months ending September 30, 2025 and

twelve months ending December 31, 2025:


Three Months Ending


Twelve Months Ending


September 30, 2025


December 31, 2025


(in thousands, except per share data)


Low


High


Low


High


Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders


$


(2,859)


$


(759)


$


18,528


$


24,733

Preferred dividends

2,751

2,751

Loss on redemption of preferred stock

3,501

3,501


Net Income/(Loss)


(2,859)


(759)


24,780


30,985

Income tax expense/(benefit)

(1,225)

(325)

9,165

11,460

Interest expense

1,476

1,476

4,857

4,857

Loss on minority investment

Depreciation and amortization

4,555

4,555

17,360

17,360


EBITDA


1,947


4,947


56,163


64,663

Stock compensation

2,229

2,229

8,890

8,890

Professional Services

980

980

4,280

4,280

Transition services cost

1,345

1,345

1,375

1,375

Loss on Sale of GSUSA

8,500

7,000

8,500

7,000

Other loses

1,792

1,792


Adjusted EBITDA


$


15,000


$


16,500


$


81,000


$


88,000

 

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SOURCE American Public Education, Inc.