Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI) and the best and worst performers in the education services industry.

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 7 education services stocks we track reported a very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Luckily, education services stocks have performed well with share prices up 10.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

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 $222.4 million, up 13.3% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

"Fiscal 2025 was an exceptional year for Universal Technical Institute and a defining start to the second phase of our North Star strategy," said Jerome Grant, CEO of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Universal Technical Institute scored the highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 3.6% since reporting and currently trades at $28.43.

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

Best Q3: 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 $141.4 million, up 23.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.5%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

Lincoln Educational scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 50.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $26.71.

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

Weakest Q3: 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 $261.1 million, up 9.6% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Grand Canyon Education delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $180.01.

Read our full analysis of Grand Canyon Education’s results here.

Bright Horizons (NYSE: BFAM)

Founded in 1986, Bright Horizons (NYSE: BFAM) is a global provider of child care, early education, and workforce support solutions.

Bright Horizons reported revenues of $802.8 million, up 11.6% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $96.98.

Read our full, actionable report on Bright Horizons here, it’s free.

Strategic Education (NASDAQ: STRA)

Formed through the merger of Strayer Education and Capella Education in 2018, Strategic Education (NASDAQ: STRA) is a career-focused higher education provider.

Strategic Education reported revenues of $319.9 million, up 4.6% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Strategic Education had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 13% since reporting and currently trades at $84.53.

Read our full, actionable report on Strategic Education here, it’s free.

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