Laureate Education (LAUR) vs Unifirst (UNF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Unifirst (UNF) has outperformed Laureate Education (LAUR) over the past year, gaining 53.2% versus a gain of 31.0%. Over five years, LAUR leads with a +122.9% price change compared with +19.0% for UNF. Laureate Education is the larger company by market cap ($5.40 billion vs $4.69 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Laureate Education trades at a lower forward P/E (16.1x vs 32.5x for Unifirst). Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Laureate Education does not currently pay one. Laureate Education converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 16.5% versus 6.1%.
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 | LAUR | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $39.20 | $259.60 |
| Market cap | $5.40B | $4.69B |
| 1-day change | +1.66% | +2.89% |
| YTD return | +14.52% | +30.80% |
| 1-year return | +31.02% | +53.21% |
| 5-year return | +122.89% | +19.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.82 | 41.01 |
| Forward P/E | 16.13 | 32.45 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.20 | $6.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.70B | $2.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.64% | +0.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $281.63M | $148.27M |
| Gross margin | 28.33% | 36.59% |
| Operating margin | 25.33% | 7.59% |
| Net margin | 16.55% | 6.10% |
| 52-week high | $40.93 | $306.67 |
| 52-week low | $24.98 | $147.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.22% | -15.35% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.13% | +5.29% |
| Average volume | 1.04M | 247.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 137.75M | 14.53M |
| Employees | 33,900 | 16,000 |
| Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- UNF has outperformed LAUR by 22.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Unifirst trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.0x vs 17.8x trailing P/E).
- Laureate Education is more profitable, keeping 16.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.1 cents for Unifirst.
- Laureate Education grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.64% vs +0.20%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Laureate Education in Real Estate and Unifirst in Consumer Discretionary.
About Laureate Education
LAUR stock →Laureate Education, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, offers higher education programs and services to students through a portfolio of higher education institutions in Mexico, Peru, and the United States. The company offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and specialized degree programs in the areas of medicine and health sciences, engineering and information technology, and business and management through campus-based, online, and hybrid programs.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 33,900 employees
About Unifirst
UNF stock →UniFirst Corporation provides workplace uniforms and protective work wear clothing in the United States, Europe, and Canada. It operates in three segments: Uniform & Facility Service Solutions; First Aid & Safety Solutions; and Other.
Consumer Discretionary · Other Consumer Services · 16,000 employees
LAUR vs UNF FAQ
Which is bigger, Laureate Education or Unifirst?
Laureate Education (LAUR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.40B compared with $4.69B for Unifirst (UNF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LAUR or UNF?
UNF returned +53.21% over the past 12 months, compared with +31.02% for LAUR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LAUR or UNF?
LAUR has the lower trailing P/E at 17.8, versus 41.0 for UNF. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Laureate Education or Unifirst?
Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Laureate Education does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Laureate Education and Unifirst in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Real Estate sector.