Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM) vs Grand Canyon Education (LOPE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) has outperformed Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM) over the past year, losing 25.6% versus a loss of 32.9%. Over five years, LOPE leads with a +73.1% price change compared with -59.2% for BFAM. Grand Canyon Education is the larger company by market cap ($4.06 billion vs $3.25 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Bright Horizons Family Solutions is growing revenue faster (+9.2% vs +7.1%).
On valuation, Bright Horizons Family Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (11.3x vs 13.8x for Grand Canyon Education). Grand Canyon Education converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.5% versus 6.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BFAM | LOPE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $66.84 | $155.68 |
| Market cap | $3.25B | $4.06B |
| 1-day change | +0.63% | +0.08% |
| YTD return | -34.08% | -6.39% |
| 1-year return | -32.88% | -25.59% |
| 5-year return | -59.20% | +73.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.15 | 18.85 |
| Forward P/E | 11.33 | 13.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.16 | $8.26 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.93B | $1.11B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.22% | +7.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $193.12M | $216.17M |
| Gross margin | 23.77% | — |
| Operating margin | 10.73% | 24.04% |
| Net margin | 6.58% | 19.54% |
| 52-week high | $109.86 | $223.04 |
| 52-week low | $57.63 | $134.27 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -39.16% | -30.20% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.82% | +24.61% |
| Average volume | 828.35K | 328.63K |
| Shares outstanding | 48.64M | 26.07M |
| Employees | 32,200 | — |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Real Estate |
| Industry | Other Consumer Services | Other Consumer Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Grand Canyon Education is more profitable, keeping 19.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.6 cents for Bright Horizons Family Solutions.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Bright Horizons Family Solutions in Consumer Discretionary and Grand Canyon Education in Real Estate.
About Bright Horizons Family Solutions
BFAM stock →Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. provides early education and childcare, comprehensive back-up care, educational advisory, and other workplace solutions services for employers and families in the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and India.
Consumer Discretionary · Other Consumer Services · 32,200 employees
About Grand Canyon Education
LOPE stock →Grand Canyon Education, Inc. operates as an education services company in the United States.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services
BFAM vs LOPE FAQ
Which is bigger, Bright Horizons Family Solutions or Grand Canyon Education?
Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.06B compared with $3.25B for Bright Horizons Family Solutions (BFAM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BFAM or LOPE?
LOPE returned -25.59% over the past 12 months, compared with -32.88% for BFAM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BFAM or LOPE?
LOPE has the lower trailing P/E at 18.8, versus 21.2 for BFAM. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Bright Horizons Family Solutions and Grand Canyon Education in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.