Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) vs Strategic Education (STRA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Strategic Education (STRA) has outperformed Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) over the past year, gaining 0.6% versus a loss of 25.6%. Over five years, LOPE leads with a +73.1% price change compared with +13.2% for STRA. Grand Canyon Education is the larger company by market cap ($4.07 billion vs $1.80 billion), about 2.3 times the size.
On valuation, Strategic Education trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 13.8x for Grand Canyon Education). Strategic Education pays a dividend yielding 2.96%, while Grand Canyon Education does not currently pay one.
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 | LOPE | STRA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $155.97 | $81.10 |
| Market cap | $4.07B | $1.80B |
| 1-day change | +0.19% | +0.52% |
| YTD return | -6.39% | +0.60% |
| 1-year return | -25.59% | +0.60% |
| 5-year return | +73.13% | +13.24% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.88 | 13.54 |
| Forward P/E | 13.79 | 9.60 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.26 | $5.99 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.96% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.11B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.07% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $216.17M | — |
| Operating margin | 24.04% | — |
| Net margin | 19.54% | — |
| 52-week high | $223.04 | $89.73 |
| 52-week low | $134.27 | $69.70 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.07% | -9.62% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.38% | +19.20% |
| Average volume | 328.63K | 296.34K |
| Shares outstanding | 26.07M | 22.21M |
| Employees | — | 3,683 |
| Sector | Real Estate | 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 about 2.3 times larger than Strategic Education by market value ($4.07B vs $1.80B).
- STRA has outperformed LOPE by 26.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Grand Canyon Education trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.9x vs 13.5x trailing P/E).
- Strategic Education offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.96% vs 0.00%).
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
About Strategic Education
STRA stock →Strategic Education, Inc. provides education services through campus-based and online post-secondary education, and programs to develop job-ready skills.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 3,683 employees
LOPE vs STRA FAQ
Which is bigger, Grand Canyon Education or Strategic Education?
Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.07B compared with $1.80B for Strategic Education (STRA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LOPE or STRA?
STRA returned +0.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -25.59% for LOPE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LOPE or STRA?
STRA has the lower trailing P/E at 13.5, versus 18.9 for LOPE. 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, Grand Canyon Education or Strategic Education?
Strategic Education pays a dividend yielding 2.96%, while Grand Canyon Education does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Grand Canyon Education and Strategic Education in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Real Estate sector.