Which has grown faster, APEI or SMPL?

Over the past five years, APEI grew revenue faster — APEI at a 15.04% CAGR versus SMPL at 7.54%.

Is APEI or SMPL more profitable?

APEI runs the higher net margin — APEI at 6.84% versus SMPL at -14.28%.

How have APEI and SMPL total returns compared?

Over the past 5 years, APEI delivered 10.80% and SMPL delivered -22.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) vs The Simply Good Foods Company (SMPL)

A side-by-side comparison of American Public Education, Inc. and The Simply Good Foods Company 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.

APEI

American Public Education, Inc.

$848M

$46.22Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

SMPL

The Simply Good Foods Company

$881M

$9.96Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

Total return — APEI vs SMPL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 9y

APEI +95.6% (+7.7%/yr)SMPL -17.2% (-2.1%/yr)APEI compounded faster over this window

APEI SMPL

APEI vs SMPL: by the numbers

•SMPL is the larger company ($881M vs $848M market cap).
•APEI is profitable (6.84% net margin) while SMPL runs a net loss (-14.28%).
•APEI grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.04% vs 7.54% CAGR).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	APEI	SMPL
P/E ratio	19.02	N/A
Forward P/E	17.62	5.88
PEG ratio	11.19	N/A
P/S ratio	1.27	0.63
P/B ratio	2.70	0.62
EV / EBITDA	12.41	11.24
FCF yield	8.26%	13.56%

Profitability

Metric	APEI	SMPL
Gross margin	54.61%	32.10%
Operating margin	9.59%	15.07%
Net margin	6.84%	-14.28%
ROE	14.54%	-14.02%
ROIC	10.85%	4.16%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	APEI	SMPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	15.04%	7.54%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	1.97%	N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)	32.90%	5.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	10.80%	-22.33%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, APEI or SMPL?: Over the past five years, APEI grew revenue faster — APEI at a 15.04% CAGR versus SMPL at 7.54%.
Is APEI or SMPL more profitable?: APEI runs the higher net margin — APEI at 6.84% versus SMPL at -14.28%.
How have APEI and SMPL total returns compared?: Over the past 5 years, APEI delivered 10.80% and SMPL delivered -22.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full APEI analysis Full SMPL analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

American Public Education P/E ratio American Public Education ROE Simply Good Foods ROE American Public Education operating margin Simply Good Foods operating margin American Public Education revenue growth Simply Good Foods revenue growth American Public Education free cash flow Simply Good Foods free cash flow

American Public Education & Simply Good Foods appear in these rankings

Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

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.