American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) P/E Ratio History
Historical price-to-earnings valuation from 2007 to 2025
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APEI Valuation Context
How does the current P/E compare to historical and market benchmarks?
P/E Ratio Analysis
As of May 8, 2026, American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.2x, with a stock price of $54.71 and trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $1.69.
The current P/E is 34% above its 5-year average of 30.1x. Over the past five years, APEI's P/E has ranged from a low of 22.1x to a high of 73.3x, placing the current valuation at the 90th percentile of its historical range.
Compared to the Consumer Defensive sector median P/E of 19.4x, APEI trades at a 108% premium to its sector peers. The sector includes 149 companies with P/E ratios ranging from 0.0x to 195.7x.
The PEG ratio of 23.65 (P/E divided by 147% EPS growth) suggests the stock may be expensive relative to its earnings growth. Peter Lynch popularized the rule that a PEG below 1.0 indicates an attractive entry point.
Relative to the broader market, APEI commands a significant premium over the S&P 500 median P/E of 25.1x. Investors should consider the company's growth prospects, competitive position, and earnings quality when evaluating whether the current valuation is justified.
For a comprehensive intrinsic value estimate using discounted cash flow analysis, see our APEI DCF Valuation Calculator →
Note: P/E ratio is just one valuation metric. It does not account for balance sheet strength, cash flow quality, or growth sustainability. Always conduct comprehensive due diligence before making investment decisions.
APEI P/E vs Peers
P/E ratio compared to closely matched public peers
| Company | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | PEG Ratio | EPS Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2B | 14.2 | 2.09 | +11% | |
| $2B | 14.6 | 1.94 | +16% | |
| $4B | 13.9Lowest | 1.38 | -32% | |
| $5B | 17.0 | - | -2% | |
| $2B | 31.5 | 0.37 | +51% | |
| $4B | 21.3 | 2.97 | -0% | |
| $4B | 17.6 | 2.85 | +79%Best | |
| $4B | 15.4 | 0.26Best | +27% |
Peers sorted by market capitalization. P/E below peers may indicate undervaluation or lower growth expectations. Consider PEG ratio for growth-adjusted comparison.
APEI Historical P/E Data (2007–2025)
Quarterly P/E ratios calculated from closing price and TTM EPS
| Quarter | Date | Price | TTM EPS | P/E Ratio | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 Q4 | Wed Dec 31 2025 00:00:00 GM | $37.80 | $1.36 | 27.8x | +13% |
| FY2025 Q3 | $39.47 | $1.32 | 29.9x | +21% | |
| FY2025 Q2 | Mon Jun 30 2025 00:00:00 GM | $30.46 | $1.06 | 28.7x | +17% |
| FY2025 Q1 | Mon Mar 31 2025 00:00:00 GM | $22.32 | $1.01 | 22.1x | -10% |
| FY2024 Q4 | $21.57 | $0.54 | 39.9x | +62% | |
| FY2024 Q3 | Mon Sep 30 2024 00:00:00 GM | $14.75 | $0.55 | 26.8x | +9% |
| FY2024 Q2 | Sun Jun 30 2024 00:00:00 GM | $17.58 | $0.24 | 73.3x | +198% |
| FY2022 Q1 | $21.24 | $0.80 | 26.7x | +8% | |
| FY2021 Q4 | Fri Dec 31 2021 00:00:00 GM | $22.25 | $1.01 | 22.1x | -10% |
| FY2021 Q3 | $25.61 | $0.98 | 26.2x | +7% | |
| FY2021 Q2 | Wed Jun 30 2021 00:00:00 GM | $28.34 | $1.17 | 24.2x | -2% |
| FY2021 Q1 | Wed Mar 31 2021 00:00:00 GM | $35.63 | $1.59 | 22.4x | -9% |
Average P/E for displayed period: 24.6x
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Start ComparisonAPEI — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying APEI stock.
Is APEI stock overvalued or undervalued?
APEI trades at 40.2x P/E, above its 5-year average of 30.1x. The 90th percentile ranking indicates a premium to historical valuation.
How does APEI's valuation compare to peers?
American Public Education, Inc. P/E of 40.2x compares to sector median of 19.4x. The premium reflects expected growth above peers.
What is APEI's PEG ratio?
APEI PEG ratio is 23.65. Above 2.0 indicates premium valuation relative to growth rate. Historical P/E data spans 2007-2025.