Education equities are under the microscope in 2026 as companies adapt to digital change, shifting demographics and regulatory pressures. Using Investing Pro inputs - including Fair Value calculations, Pro Scores, technical indicators and sell-side price targets - WarrenAI ranked five companies that illustrate the range of opportunities and risks across the sector.
1. Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQGS:LINC)
Lincoln is trading at $36.00 and stands out this year as the sector’s growth leader, posting a 91.9% one-year return. The company posted a Pro Score of 2.72 and carries a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating of 1.2, with analysts indicating 10.1% upside to their published target prices. Lincoln’s momentum is underpinned by double-digit revenue expansion, improving margins and an aggressive campus expansion program, along with a notable streak of 13 consecutive quarters of student start growth. At the same time, Investing Pro’s Fair Value places Lincoln at $24.28, implying a negative Fair Value Upside of -32.5% and suggesting that the current market price includes a premium. The shares trade at a price-to-earnings multiple of 49.5x, and analyst price targets extend up to $39.
2. Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQGS:LOPE)
Grand Canyon shares are quoted at $158.67, reflecting a -10.3% one-year return. The stock’s Fair Value is calculated at $167.65 and it earned a Pro Score of 2.96. Grand Canyon’s financial profile includes a low forward PEG of 0.68, a strong return on invested capital (ROIC) of 27.1% and a robust balance sheet. Sell-side analysts assign a Strong Buy rating of 1.5 and see 36.5% upside to their targets. Management’s stated emphasis on technology and diversification supports the company’s long-term thesis, although enrollment dynamics and headwinds tied to FAFSA implementation remain items to monitor.
3. Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN)
Stride is trading at $84.36 after a -36.0% decline over the past year, yet its Investing Pro Fair Value of $124.44 implies the largest Fair Value Upside in the group at 47.5%. Stride earned the highest Pro Score among the five, at 3.55, and shows a very low forward PEG of 0.37. Analysts rate the stock a Buy at 2.25 and indicate 10.9% upside to their targets. The company’s strategic shift toward K-12 online learning and Career Learning offerings appears to be gaining traction, as reflected in a recent 34.6% three-month price surge.
4. Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE)
Adtalem is priced at $97.59 and has experienced a -1.3% one-year return. The company is positioned to benefit from demand in healthcare education amid a reported global nursing shortage, and analysts project EPS growth of 36.6%. Investing Pro assigns Adtalem a Fair Value of $121.69 and a Pro Score of 3.19, with a forward PEG of 0.52. The stock carries a Strong Buy rating of 1.33 from analysts, who see 11.2% upside to their targets. The Fair Value Upside for Adtalem is 24.7%, and its healthcare focus is cited as providing defensive characteristics within the education cohort.
5. Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM)
Bright Horizons trades at $74.41, down -40.8% over the last year. Investing Pro places its Fair Value at $88.46 and assigns a Pro Score of 2.60. The company posts the lowest forward PEG in the group, at 0.32, and receives a Buy rating of 2.33 from analysts who project 31.7% upside to their targets. That said, the business faces slowing growth and carries a relatively high debt-to-equity ratio of 131.4%, which elevates the need to monitor utilization trends and margin recovery as part of any investment decision.
Collectively, the ranked names display a range of investment profiles: momentum-fueled appreciation, clear value mismatches between market price and Fair Value estimates, and sector-specific defensiveness tied to healthcare education. Investors should weigh the quantitative signals from Investing Pro alongside operational developments such as enrollment patterns, campus expansions and balance-sheet strength when assessing these opportunities.