American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) vs John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (JBSS)

A side-by-side comparison of American Public Education, Inc. and John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — APEI vs JBSS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
APEI +118.1% (+8.1%/yr)JBSS +103.0% (+7.3%/yr)APEI compounded faster over this window
0100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$218$203
APEI JBSS

APEI vs JBSS: by the numbers

  • •APEI is the larger company ($841M vs $791M market cap).
  • •JBSS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.86 vs 18.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •APEI converts more revenue to profit (6.84% vs 5.27% net margin).
  • •APEI grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.04% vs 6.49% CAGR).
  • •JBSS pays a dividend (6.61% yield), while APEI has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPEIJBSS
P/E ratio18.8712.86
Forward P/E17.4712.62
PEG ratio11.10N/A
P/S ratio1.260.67
P/B ratio2.682.08
EV / EBITDA12.327.48
FCF yield8.33%4.52%

Profitability

MetricAPEIJBSS
Gross margin54.61%17.96%
Operating margin9.59%7.40%
Net margin6.84%5.27%
ROE14.54%16.30%
ROIC10.85%12.11%

Dividends

MetricAPEIJBSS
Dividend yieldN/A6.61%
Payout ratioN/A85.55%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPEIJBSS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)15.04%6.49%
EPS CAGR (5Y)1.97%-0.33%
FCF CAGR (5Y)32.90%110.20%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.80%-0.32%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, APEI or JBSS?
JBSS has the lower trailing P/E: APEI trades at 18.87 and JBSS at 12.86. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, APEI or JBSS?
Over the past five years, APEI grew revenue faster — APEI at a 15.04% CAGR versus JBSS at 6.49%.
Does APEI or JBSS pay a bigger dividend?
JBSS pays a dividend (6.61% yield), while APEI has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is APEI or JBSS more profitable?
APEI runs the higher net margin — APEI at 6.84% versus JBSS at 5.27%.
How have APEI and JBSS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, APEI delivered 8.10% and JBSS delivered 7.40% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.