Laureate Education Q4 Revenue Soars 27.9%, EPS Beats by 45%
Laureate Education reported Q4 revenue of $541.4 million, up 27.9% year-on-year and 2.8% above estimates, with adjusted EPS of $1.15 beating consensus by 45.3%. Enrollment rose by 25,700 students to 497,700, operating margin expanded to 33.2%, and FY26 EBITDA guidance of $588 million tops forecasts.
1. Strong Q4 Financial Performance
Laureate Education delivered $541.4 million in Q4 revenue, up 27.9% year-on-year and 2.8% above estimates. Adjusted EPS reached $1.15, a 45.3% beat, while adjusted EBITDA of $204.3 million posted a 37.7% margin, exceeding forecasts by 2.6%. Operating margin improved to 33.2% from 29.3% a year earlier.
2. Enrollment Growth and Strategic Investments
Total enrolled students rose by 25,700 to 497,700, driven by strong demand in Mexico and Peru and rapid scaling of online programs for working adults. The company opened new medical and veterinary schools, launched campuses in Monterrey and Lima, and invested in AI-enabled tools to enhance retention and reduce instructional costs.
3. FY26 Guidance and Future Catalysts
Management set FY26 EBITDA guidance at a $588 million midpoint, 1.9% above analyst expectations, and reaffirmed full-year revenue target of $1.90 billion. Growth catalysts include alleviating campus capacity constraints in Peru, expanding fully online offerings, disciplined campus rollouts and leveraging AI platforms for improved academic outcomes and efficiency.