Nelnet (NNI) vs SLM (SLM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Nelnet (NNI) has outperformed SLM (SLM) over the past year, losing 2.2% versus a loss of 14.7%. Over five years, NNI leads with a +51.4% price change compared with +30.1% for SLM. Nelnet is the larger company by market cap ($4.48 billion vs $4.23 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, SLM trades at a lower forward P/E (6.7x vs 14.7x for Nelnet). SLM offers the higher dividend yield (2.31% vs 1.03%).
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 | NNI | SLM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $125.26 | $22.52 |
| Market cap | $4.48B | $4.23B |
| 1-day change | -0.56% | -0.66% |
| YTD return | -5.26% | -16.22% |
| 1-year return | -2.24% | -14.68% |
| 5-year return | +51.41% | +30.14% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.97 | 6.27 |
| Forward P/E | 14.74 | 6.69 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.37 | $3.59 |
| Dividend yield | 1.03% | 2.31% |
| Annual dividend | $1.29 | $0.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.98B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +7.32% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $428.47M | $744.85M |
| Net margin | — | 37.54% |
| 52-week high | $144.38 | $31.06 |
| 52-week low | $116.62 | $17.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.24% | -27.50% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -0.21% | +26.78% |
| Average volume | 132.80K | 2.29M |
| Shares outstanding | 25.16M | 188.00M |
| Employees | 5,744 | 1,788 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Finance: Consumer Services | Finance: 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
- NNI has outperformed SLM by 12.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Nelnet trades at a higher earnings multiple (15.0x vs 6.3x trailing P/E).
- SLM offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.31% vs 1.03%).
About Nelnet
NNI stock →Nelnet, Inc. engages in loan servicing, education technology services, and payment businesses worldwide.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 5,744 employees
About SLM
SLM stock →SLM Corporation, through its subsidiaries, originates and services private education loans to students and their families to finance the cost of their education in the United States. It provides retail deposit accounts, including high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit; and interest-bearing omnibus accounts.
Finance · Finance: Consumer Services · 1,788 employees
NNI vs SLM FAQ
Which is bigger, Nelnet or SLM?
Nelnet (NNI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.48B compared with $4.23B for SLM (SLM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NNI or SLM?
NNI returned -2.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -14.68% for SLM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NNI or SLM?
SLM has the lower trailing P/E at 6.3, versus 15.0 for NNI. 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, Nelnet or SLM?
SLM has the higher yield at 2.31%, compared with 1.03% for Nelnet.
Are Nelnet and SLM in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Finance: Consumer Services industry within the Finance sector.