The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how education services stocks fared in Q4, starting with Lincoln Educational (NASDAQ:LINC).

A whole industry has emerged to address the problem of rising education costs, offering consumers alternatives to traditional education paths such as four-year colleges. These alternative paths, which may include online courses or flexible schedules, make education more accessible to those with work or child-rearing obligations. However, some have run into issues around the value of the degrees and certifications they provide and whether customers are getting a good deal. Those who don’t prove their value could struggle to retain students, or even worse, invite the heavy hand of regulation.

The 8 education services stocks we track reported a very strong Q4; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 3.7%, while next quarter's revenue guidance was 2% above consensus. Stocks, especially growth stocks where cash flows further in the future are more important to the story, had a good end of 2023. The beginning of 2024 saw mixed inflation data, however, leading to more volatile stock performance, and education services stocks have held roughly steady amidst all this, with share prices up 1.6% on average since the previous earnings results.

Lincoln Educational (NASDAQ:LINC)

Established in 1946, Lincoln Educational (NASDAQ:LINC) is a provider of specialized technical training in the United States, offering career-oriented programs to provide practical skills required in the workforce.

Lincoln Educational reported revenues of $102.5 million, up 11.7% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 6.6%. It was a solid quarter for the company, with full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts' expectations and an impressive beat of analysts' revenue estimates.

“Our team is successfully executing our transformative growth strategies, which has led to increased student starts, retention, graduation and placement rates, and allowed us to exceed all of our 2023 guidance metrics,” said Scott Shaw, President & CEO.

Lincoln Educational scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The stock is up 3.7% since the results and currently trades at $10.1.

Is now the time to buy Lincoln Educational? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Best Q4: Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI)

Founded in 1965, Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI) is a leading provider of technical training programs, specializing in automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, and marine technicians.

Universal Technical Institute reported revenues of $174.7 million, up 45.6% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 3.8%. It was an exceptional quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates. The company also raised full year guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EPS (while maintaining previous the full year outlook for new students and free cash flow).

Universal Technical Institute scored the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 1.8% since the results and currently trades at $14.96.

Is now the time to buy Universal Technical Institute? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Weakest Q4: Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR)

Founded in 1998 by Douglas L. Becker and based in Miami, Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR) is a global network of higher education institutions.

Laureate Education reported revenues of $409.4 million, up 18.2% year on year, exceeding analyst expectations by 5.6%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with a solid beat of analysts' revenue estimates but a miss of analysts' earnings estimates.

The stock is up 9.5% since the results and currently trades at $14.35.

Read our full analysis of Laureate Education's results here.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE)

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) is an educational services provider known for its operation at Grand Canyon University.

Grand Canyon Education reported revenues of $278.3 million, up 7.6% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 1.1%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with revenue guidance for next quarter beating analysts' expectations but underwhelming earnings guidance for the next quarter.

Grand Canyon Education had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 0.6% since the results and currently trades at $131.13.

Read our full, actionable report on Grand Canyon Education here, it's free.

Adtalem (NYSE:ATGE)

Formerly known as DeVry Education Group, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE) is a global provider of workforce solutions and educational services.

Adtalem reported revenues of $393.2 million, up 8.4% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 5.5%. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates and full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts' expectations.

The stock is down 4.2% since the results and currently trades at $45.68.

Read our full, actionable report on Adtalem here, it's free.

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