LAUR
Consumer DefensiveLaureate Education, Inc. · Education & Training Services · $5B
What is Laureate Education, Inc.?
Laureate Education operates a network of universities and higher education institutions across Latin America and the United States. The company focuses on making degree programs accessible to working adults and traditional students alike.
Laureate generates revenue by enrolling students in undergraduate and graduate programs delivered through campus-based, online, and hybrid formats. Its primary markets are Mexico, Peru, and the United States. Tuition fees from a large and diversified student body form the core of its business, giving it relatively stable, recurring revenue tied to enrollment cycles rather than economic volatility.
Laureate Education was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
- Business and management degree programs
- Medicine and health sciences programs
- Engineering and information technology programs
- Hybrid and online learning delivery
Is LAUR a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates LAUR as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across its five analytical pillars.
Laureate's Quality pillar registers as Good, suggesting the business generates reasonable returns relative to its cost structure. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, meaning the stock appears reasonably priced compared to its fundamentals — a notable positive for value-oriented investors.
The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars each land at Neutral, indicating that competitive advantages, expansion prospects, and risk factors are neither standout strengths nor serious red flags at this time.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does LAUR pay dividends?
No — Laureate Education, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
Laureate Education does not currently pay a dividend. For a company operating in growth-oriented international education markets, retaining capital to fund enrollment expansion, campus infrastructure, and online platform development is a common strategic choice. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.
When does LAUR report earnings?
Laureate Education reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Enrollment trends across its Mexican and Peruvian university networks are the primary driver of quarterly results. Revenue visibility tends to be relatively stable given the academic calendar structure, though currency fluctuations in Latin American markets can influence reported figures.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Laureate Education's investor relations page directly.
LAUR Price History
+389.3% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Laureate Education, Inc.?
Based on Laureate Education, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
LAUR Long-term Outlook
With Growth and Risk both rated Neutral, Laureate's near-term trajectory appears steady rather than accelerating. The Attractive Valuation label suggests the market may not be fully pricing in the company's earnings potential, which could be a tailwind if enrollment trends remain stable. Execution in its core Latin American markets will be the key variable to watch.
Growth drivers
- Expanding enrollment demand in Mexico and Peru driven by rising middle-class demand for higher education
- Shift toward online and hybrid program delivery lowering per-student infrastructure costs
- Potential for disciplined pricing power in underpenetrated Latin American markets
Key risks
- Currency volatility in Mexico and Peru affecting US-dollar-reported revenues
- Regulatory changes in international higher education markets
- Competitive pressure from local and global online education providers
LAUR vs Peers
Laureate operates in a competitive higher education landscape alongside several publicly traded peers with distinct business models.
Grand Canyon Education focuses primarily on the US market as a services provider to Grand Canyon University, giving it a more concentrated but domestically stable revenue base.
Graham Holdings is a diversified media and education conglomerate, with education representing just one segment of a broader portfolio that includes television broadcasting and other businesses.
Stride concentrates on K-12 online and blended learning in the US, targeting a younger student demographic than Laureate's university-level focus in Latin America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Laureate Education do?
Laureate Education operates a network of universities offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, medicine, health sciences, and engineering. It serves students in Mexico, Peru, and the United States through campus-based, online, and hybrid formats, generating revenue primarily from tuition enrollment.
Does LAUR pay dividends?
No, Laureate Education does not currently pay a dividend. The company appears to prioritize reinvesting capital into its university network and enrollment growth rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions.
When does LAUR report earnings?
Laureate Education follows a standard quarterly earnings reporting schedule. Specific dates are not covered by our data source — check the company's investor relations page for the most current schedule and recent results.
Is LAUR a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates LAUR as Good, with an Attractive Valuation pillar standing out as a positive signal. Quality is also rated Good. Moat, Growth, and Risk are each Neutral. Whether this profile fits your portfolio depends on your own investment criteria — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is LAUR overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, LAUR is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered overvalued relative to its fundamentals at the time of scoring. Valuation assessments can shift as earnings and market conditions evolve.
How does LAUR compare to its competitors?
Laureate's international focus in Latin America differentiates it from US-centric peers like Grand Canyon Education and Stride. Graham Holdings competes in education but operates across multiple industries. Each peer has a distinct geographic and demographic focus that shapes their risk and growth profiles differently.
What is LAUR's market cap bracket?
Laureate Education is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that often balances growth potential with more established operations than smaller peers, though with less scale than large-cap education companies.
Who founded Laureate Education?
Laureate Education traces its roots to Sylvan Learning Systems, founded in 1989. The company rebranded to Laureate Education in May 2004 as it expanded its focus to international higher education. Founding details are widely available through public corporate history records.
Is LAUR a long-term quality indicator?
UQS Score assesses long-term quality through five pillars. LAUR's Good Quality rating and Attractive Valuation are constructive signals for long-term holders. The Neutral readings on Moat and Growth suggest the company is stable but may not be compounding at an exceptional rate. Pro members can view the complete analysis.
What sector does LAUR belong to?
Laureate Education is classified under the Consumer Defensive sector. Higher education providers often carry this classification because enrollment demand tends to remain relatively resilient across economic cycles, as students continue pursuing degrees even during downturns.
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Pro Analysis
LAUR — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 60.0 | 74.9 | 42.0 | 50.6 | 54.5 | 83.1 | -0.2 |
| May 16, 2026 | 60.2 | 75.2 | 42.0 | 50.6 | 54.5 | 84.2 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 60.1 | 75.0 | 42.0 | 50.6 | 54.5 | 83.7 | +0.5 |
| May 7, 2026 | 59.6 | 76.6 | 42.0 | 48.9 | 52.1 | 82.5 | -0.2 |
| May 4, 2026 | 59.8 | 76.6 | 42.0 | 48.9 | 52.1 | 83.8 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 59.7 | 76.6 | 42.0 | 48.5 | 52.1 | 83.7 | -0.1 |
| May 2, 2026 | 59.8 | 76.6 | 42.0 | 48.5 | 52.1 | 83.9 | +0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 59.6 | 76.6 | 42.0 | 47.7 | 52.1 | 83.8 | +0.5 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 59.1 | 76.6 | 42.0 | 47.7 | 52.1 | 80.6 | -0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 59.2 | 76.9 | 42.0 | 47.7 | 52.1 | 81.0 | -0.5 |
LAUR — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 74.9/100 (25%)Laureate Education, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 50.6/100 (20%)Laureate Education, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 54.5/100 (15%)Laureate Education, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 83.1/100 (15%)Laureate Education, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 42/100 (25%)Laureate Education, Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for LAUR.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the LAUR UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Laureate Education, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Laureate Education, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Laureate Education, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.