American Public Education EPS Rises 129%; Price Target Boosted to $62
Barrington raised American Public Education’s price target to $62, implying 15.1% upside, after reporting Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $0.94 on $174.7 million in revenues, a 129.3% year-over-year earnings jump. The company also lifted full-year 2026 EPS guidance to $2.33–$2.68 as military revenues climbed 6.5% to $89.4 million.
1. Q1 2026 Financial Results
American Public Education posted adjusted earnings of $0.94 per share on revenues of $174.7 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing a 129.3% increase in EPS year-over-year. The surge was driven by enrollment gains and margin improvements across its online higher education platforms.
2. Price Target and Guidance Upgrade
Analyst firm Barrington lifted its price target for the company to $62, signaling a potential 15.1% upside. Concurrently, management raised full-year 2026 guidance, projecting adjusted EPS of $2.33 to $2.68 and higher revenue and EBITDA targets based on current trends.
3. Segment Performance Drivers
Military program revenues increased by 6.5% to $89.4 million, with net course registrations rising to approximately 106,600 students. Health+ enrollment also contributed to quarterly growth, supporting the company’s confidence in sustained demand for its specialized education offerings.