We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Education Stocks To Invest In Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN) stands against the other education stocks.

Is the Education Sector Poised for Growth?

The education sector is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by technological advancements and shifting learning paradigms. The rise of online learning platforms and educational technology has reshaped how students and professionals access knowledge, creating a dynamic environment ripe for investment. With the global education market projected to grow significantly, now is an opportune time for investors to explore leading education stocks that are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends.

The education industry is not just about traditional institutions anymore, it encompasses a range of companies that provide innovative solutions, from online courses to tutoring services. By 2030, the market is expected to reach a staggering $10 trillion, representing over 6% of global GDP, as reported by HolonIQ by QS. This growth is fueled by a projected increase of 350 million post-secondary graduates and nearly 800 million more K-12 graduates worldwide. Asia and Africa are leading this expansion. To accommodate this student surge, the world will need to add an average of 1.5 million teachers per year, reaching 100 million teachers by 2030. Of these, 50% will be teaching pre-K and primary education. Post-secondary teaching will undergo a particularly significant transformation. The role of the teacher will evolve from a traditional role to a more mentorship-oriented approach. The K-12 education market is projected to exceed $5 trillion by 2030, reflecting the growing importance of early education and the need for a skilled workforce.

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According to market.us, the global EdTech market is projected to experience substantial growth, expanding from $220.5 billion in 2023 to $810.3 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%. North America currently dominates the market, accounting for over 37.3% of the total revenue in 2023, reaching $82.24 billion.

AI, being the hot topic for almost all industries today, has seen increasing adoption across various sectors, significantly impacting the Edtech industry. The EdTech software industry is highly competitive, with 65,000+ companies vying for market share. Over 67% of recent EdTech unicorns incorporate AI in their products and services. A good example of such a company includes Squirrel AI, a leading Chinese AI startup, that offers personalized education solutions. Leveraging a vast student database and advanced AI algorithms developed in collaboration with YiXue Education, Squirrel AI provides adaptive assessments and tailored learning paths. The company has raised $190.4 million in funding since it was founded in 2014. It has received significant recognition, including the GITEX Best Education Technology Award in 2019 and the $1 million Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity prize in 2021.

As educational institutions recognize the importance of integrating AI into their curricula, programs like Udacity’s AI Nanodegree are becoming essential for equipping future leaders with the necessary skills. The growing reliance on AI technologies underscores a shift towards more innovative and efficient educational practices, promising substantial returns as these trends continue to unfold. This trend, together with the robust performance of EdTech, underscores the overall growth trajectory of the education sector, fueled by rising demand for innovative educational solutions and a shift towards online learning platforms. This article will delve into the 7 best education stocks to invest in now that demonstrate robust financial performance and align with current market trends.

Methodology

We sifted through ETFs, online rankings, and internet lists to compile a list of 15 education stocks with high market caps. We then selected the 7 stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q2 2024. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database which tracks the moves of over 900 elite money managers.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN)

Market Cap as of October 22: $2.77 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27

Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN) is a for-profit education company that provides online and blended education programs. It offers a variety of educational programs, including K-12 public school programs, online private schools, and adult learning programs. The mission is to provide high-quality, personalized education to students of all ages and backgrounds. It has a strong focus on technology and innovation, and it uses advanced tools and platforms to deliver engaging and effective learning experiences.

It is committed to making education a customer-focused endeavor. The focus on innovation and technology ensures that it delivers cutting-edge educational solutions. It has experienced remarkable growth in enrollments, with a record-breaking 18.5% year-over-year increase in FQ1 2025. This surge in demand demonstrates its ability to meet the needs of families seeking educational opportunities.

The company made a revenue of $551.08 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, up 14.77% year-over-year. Diluted earnings per share reached $0.94, up from $0.83 last year. The company’s core offerings continue to be in high demand, as evidenced by the increase in total enrollments to over 222,000. Career Learning revenue grew by 30%, and enrollments increased by 30.4%. General Education revenue grew 10%, with enrollment growth of 11.3%.

While the loss of ESSER funding is a headwind to revenue per enrollment, Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN) expects to offset this impact through a positive funding environment. Adult Learning revenue continues to be affected by the slowdown in software development products.

It has demonstrated strong financial performance and a positive outlook for the full year. The company’s revenue, profitability, and operating margins have all shown significant improvement, driven by growth and operational efficiency. With a solid financial position and a favorable market outlook, Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN) is well-positioned for continued success.

Overall LRN ranks 4th on our list of the best education stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of LRN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LRN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.