Strategic Education’s third quarter results reflected stronger-than-expected revenue and non-GAAP earnings, driven by continued momentum in its Education Technology and Services segment, notably Sophia Learning and Workforce Edge. Management credited operating expense discipline and productivity initiatives for improved profitability, even as domestic student enrollment declined slightly. CEO Karl McDonnell highlighted that employer-affiliated enrollments and health care programs were key to offsetting softness in traditional student numbers, stating, “Employer-affiliated enrollment once again remained strong, increasing approximately 8% from the prior year.”
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Strategic Education (STRA) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:
- Revenue: $319.9 million vs analyst estimates of $314.5 million (4.6% year-on-year growth, 1.7% beat)
- Adjusted EPS: $1.63 vs analyst estimates of $1.30 (25.1% beat)
- Adjusted EBITDA: $69.62 million vs analyst estimates of $61.1 million (21.8% margin, 13.9% beat)
- Operating Margin: 11.6%, in line with the same quarter last year
- Domestic Students: 85,640, down 893 year on year
- Market Capitalization: $1.86 billion
While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.
Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Strategic Education’s Q3 Earnings Call
- Jasper Bibb (Truist Securities) asked about the drivers of higher revenue per student and future trends. CFO Daniel Jackson attributed gains to lower student attrition, fewer discounts, and higher course loads, with further upside expected.
- Jasper Bibb (Truist Securities) queried the progress toward $100 million in cost savings. CEO Karl McDonnell stated $30 million had been realized so far, with savings expected company-wide and some reinvested in growth.
- Jasper Bibb (Truist Securities) requested insight on growth differences between Strayer and Capella universities. McDonnell noted Capella is growing faster due to more efficient marketing and stronger employer-affiliated enrollment, while Strayer is impacted by declines in non-affiliated students.
- Jasper Bibb (Truist Securities) asked about expectations for enrollment growth in Australia/New Zealand. McDonnell projected new student growth in 2026, but total enrollment growth may lag until late 2026 or later.
- Jeffrey Silber (BMO Capital Markets) questioned the impact of regulatory changes in Australia and New Zealand. McDonnell explained stricter caps and transfer rules have reduced international student numbers but expects domestic growth and regulatory anniversary to improve trends over time.
Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters
In upcoming quarters, our analysts will watch (1) the pace and impact of productivity initiatives on margin improvement, (2) continued growth of employer-affiliated and health care enrollments, and (3) signs of stabilization or recovery in Australia and New Zealand as regulatory headwinds are absorbed. The ability to reinvest cost savings into high-growth areas will also be a key marker of execution.
Strategic Education currently trades at $79.90, up from $74.60 just before the earnings. Is there an opportunity in the stock?The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
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