Education & Training monthly market update
A data-first snapshot of public market trading, sector performance, and M&A activity across Corporate Training, EdTech, PreK-12, Higher Education, and Workforce Development, all as of June 30, 2026.
Sector valuations held in a tight band at the June close, with harmonic-mean TEV/EBITDA multiples ranging from 6.9× (Corporate Training and Workforce Development) to 8.9× (Higher Education). Higher Education again traded closest to its highs at 79% of 52-week levels, and several bellwethers finished June near peak territory: John Wiley & Sons and Pearson each closed at 99.3% of their 52-week highs, with Scholastic at 98.0%. June’s headline transaction came in Higher Education, where Educational Testing Service acquired ACT.
This monthly update summarizes key trading statistics, historical valuation trends, and notable M&A transactions across our five coverage sub-sectors, Corporate Training, EdTech, PreK-12, Higher Education, and Workforce Development, as of June 30, 2026. Data is sourced from PitchBook.
Sector overview
Trading multiples across all five education and training sub-sectors at month-end, showing TEV/Revenue, TEV/EBITDA, and P/E ranges.
Harmonic means. Source: PitchBook.
Harmonic means. Source: PitchBook.
Harmonic means. Source: PitchBook.
Operating Trading Statistics
| Metric | EdTech | PreK-12 | Corporate Training | Higher Education | Workforce Development |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026E Revenue Growth | 8% | 5% | 3% | 9% | 1% |
| 2026E EBITDA Margin | 10% | 6% | 18% | 17% | 18% |
| % of 52-Week High | 46% | 64% | 67% | 79% | 72% |
| Debt / 2026E EBITDA | 1.2× | 1.7× | 0.7× | 0.9× | 0.8× |
Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Top 3 Performers by Stock Price
| Period | EdTech | PreK-12 | Corporate Training | Higher Education | Workforce Dev. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Month | ReadyTech Holdings+1.3% Duolingo+0.9% D2L-2.8% | Scholastic+2.5% Stride-4.4% Nerdy-6.3% | Tribal Group+24.6% FranklinCovey+10.6% SkillSoft+9.6% | Tribal Group+24.6% Lincoln Technical Institute+19.2% Universal Technical Institute+9.2% | DHI Group+47.2% HealthStream+14.3% Randstad+5.0% |
| Last 3 Months | Duolingo+12.1% ReadyTech Holdings+11.3% D2L-4.3% | Scholastic+18.5% Stride+4.9% Nerdy-10.8% | FranklinCovey+87.1% SkillSoft+78.8% John Wiley & Sons+37.4% | Lincoln Technical Institute+33.8% Covista+21.8% Pearson+16.0% | DHI Group+49.0% HealthStream+10.0% Korn Ferry+8.5% |
| Last 12 Months | Cogna Educação+7.6% ReadyTech Holdings-35.0% Docebo-35.9% | Scholastic+139.3% Stride-40.0% Nerdy-50.3% | Tribal Group+52.0% John Wiley & Sons+4.3% FranklinCovey+1.7% | Lincoln Technical Institute+102.8% American Public Education+75.5% Tribal Group+52.0% | DHI Group+74.6% Korn Ferry+1.0% HealthStream-13.6% |
Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Corporate Training
Corporate Training closed June at 67% of 52-week highs. John Wiley & Sons and Pearson each finished the month at 99.3% of their 52-week highs and FranklinCovey at 95.2%, while SkillSoft (28.1%) and Accenture (40.4%) remained the group’s deepest discounts. The comp set’s harmonic mean settled at 0.8× TEV/Revenue and 6.9× TEV/EBITDA. June M&A included Handshake’s acquisition of Uplimit and Palladium Group’s purchase of employment and training provider Get Set UK.
Public Company Data
| Market Cap ($M) | LTM | EV / LTM (×) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Ticker | Price (6/30/26) | % 52W High | Equity Mkt Cap | Enterprise Value | Revenue | Gross % | EBITDA | EBITDA % | 1-Yr Growth | Revenue | EBITDA |
| Accenture | NYS: ACN | $124.44 | 40.4% | 76,150 | 75,984 | 73,101 | 32% | 14,973 | 16% | 7% | 1.0× | 5.1× |
| FranklinCovey | NYS: FC | 24.53 | 95.2% | 277 | 264 | 262 | 76% | 27 | 3% | -8% | 1.0× | 9.8× |
| John Wiley & Sons | NYS: WLY | 48.51 | 99.3% | 2,447 | 3,141 | 1,677 | 74% | 440 | 24% | 0% | 1.9× | 7.1× |
| Pearson | LON: PSON | 15.85 | 99.3% | 9,517 | 11,083 | 4,712 | 52% | 1,054 | 30% | 1% | 2.4× | 10.5× |
| RELX | LON: REL | 31.36 | 57.3% | 54,977 | 64,619 | 12,632 | 66% | 5,066 | 38% | 2% | 5.1× | 12.8× |
| SkillSoft | NYS: SKIL | 5.18 | 28.1% | 46 | 506 | 483 | 76% | 114 | 11% | -4% | 1.0× | 4.4× |
| Stride | NYS: LRN | 86.24 | 50.4% | 3,667 | 3,409 | 2,536 | 38% | 626 | 21% | 11% | 1.3× | 5.4× |
| Thinkific | TSE: THNC | 0.88 | 51.5% | 59 | 11 | 74 | 73% | 2 | -2% | 8% | 0.2× | 5.0× |
| Tribal Group | LON: TRB | 0.80 | 78.8% | 170 | 156 | 122 | 50% | 23 | 18% | 3% | 1.3× | 6.8× |
| Wilmington | LON: WIL | 3.71 | 74.2% | 332 | 425 | 140 | NM | 34 | 17% | 10% | 3.0× | 12.5× |
| Harmonic Mean | 0.8× | 6.9× | ||||||||||
$USD in millions. NM = not meaningful. Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Historical Trading Multiples
Recent M&A Transactions
| Date | Target | Acquirer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Jun-2026 | Uplimit | Handshake | Developer of education technology intended to accelerate career growth for working professionals. |
| 29-Jun-2026 | AMC Safety | SMART Safety Gulf Coast | Provider of safety consulting services intended to support occupational health administration. |
| 25-Jun-2026 | Hipster Gate | Bizmates | Provider of corporate training and HR development services supporting organizational growth. |
| 22-Jun-2026 | Flick Learning | Impact Futures Group | Developer of an e-learning and compliance training platform for corporate organizations. |
| 21-Jun-2026 | B Online Learning | Acorn PLMS | Provider of digital learning services intended to deliver training and platform services. |
| 20-Jun-2026 | Virtuosi League | Hyve Group | Provider of leadership development and community experiences for marketing executives. |
| 18-Jun-2026 | Transcompss | Para | Provider of compliance training services for the transportation industry. |
| 18-Jun-2026 | VideoTouch | PKSHA Technology | Developer of an AI-based training and monitoring platform for contact center operations. |
| 05-Jun-2026 | Get Set UK | Palladium Group | Provider of employment, training, and workforce development services. |
| 04-Jun-2026 | Arda | Banyan Software | Provider of cybersecurity awareness programs protecting organizations from digital threats. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Elevate USA | Government Leadership Solutions | Provider of professional skills training and consulting supporting workforce development. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Founderz | Fitch Group | Operator of AI education and workforce training services for individuals and organizations. |
Source: PitchBook.
EdTech
EdTech remained the most discounted sub-sector, closing June at 46% of 52-week highs. Duolingo continues to command a premium at a 3.8× revenue multiple on 35% growth, while ReadyTech Holdings, with a 94% gross margin, finished the month at 61.8% of its high. June activity skewed toward AI-enabled platforms, including Handshake’s acquisition of Uplimit, Fitch Group’s purchase of AI education provider Founderz, and Inspera’s acquisition of assessment technology developer Graide.
Public Company Data
| Market Cap ($M) | LTM | EV / LTM (×) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Ticker | Price (6/30/26) | % 52W High | Equity Mkt Cap | Enterprise Value | Revenue | Gross % | EBITDA | EBITDA % | 1-Yr Growth | Revenue | EBITDA |
| Blackbaud | NAS: BLKB | $29.62 | 39.6% | 1,361 | 2,513 | 1,139 | 59% | 411 | 27% | -1% | 2.2× | 6.1× |
| Cogna Educação | BVMF: COGN3 | 0.43 | 48.2% | 867 | 1,879 | 1,383 | 67% | 482 | 32% | 16% | 1.4× | 3.9× |
| Coursera | NYS: COUR | 5.64 | 41.6% | 1,615 | 825 | 774 | 55% | 58 | -8% | 10% | 1.1× | 14.2× |
| D2L | TSE: DTOL | 7.19 | 52.7% | 391 | 307 | 222 | 68% | 25 | 7% | 6% | 1.4× | 12.1× |
| Docebo | TSE: DCBO | 17.85 | 53.7% | 453 | 474 | 251 | 80% | 46 | 9% | 13% | 1.9× | 10.3× |
| Duolingo | NAS: DUOL | 115.02 | 24.6% | 5,359 | 4,199 | 1,099 | 73% | 327 | 16% | 35% | 3.8× | 12.9× |
| Nerdy | NYS: NRDY | 0.92 | 52.6% | 116 | 100 | 180 | 60% | (11) | -25% | -2% | 0.6× | NM |
| ReadyTech Holdings | ASX: RDY | 1.15 | 61.8% | 142 | 173 | 81 | 94% | 22 | 27% | 7% | 2.1× | 7.7× |
| Sylogist | TSE: SYZ | 2.61 | 36.0% | 61 | 72 | 44 | 58% | 5 | 7% | -8% | 1.6× | 15.3× |
| Harmonic Mean | 1.4× | 8.5× | ||||||||||
$USD in millions. NM = not meaningful. Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Historical Trading Multiples
Recent M&A Transactions
| Date | Target | Acquirer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Jun-2026 | Uplimit | Handshake | Developer of education technology intended to accelerate career growth for working professionals. |
| 22-Jun-2026 | Flick Learning | Impact Futures Group | Developer of an e-learning and compliance training platform intended for corporate organizations. |
| 21-Jun-2026 | B Online Learning | Acorn PLMS | Provider of digital learning services intended to deliver training and platform services. |
| 18-Jun-2026 | VideoTouch | PKSHA Technology | Developer of an AI-based training and monitoring platform designed for contact center operations. |
| 16-Jun-2026 | Lab4U | Britebound | Developer of an educational platform designed to democratize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. |
| 09-Jun-2026 | NoNerds | Foursan Group | Provider of an educational platform intended to support university students with academic resources. |
| 08-Jun-2026 | Profes | SuperProf | Developer of an educational platform designed to offer lessons in all subjects and topics. |
| 04-Jun-2026 | Arda | Banyan Software | Provider of cybersecurity awareness programs intended to protect organizations and the government against digital threats. |
| 03-Jun-2026 | Graide | Inspera | Developer of an educational technology platform designed to liberate teachers and make quality education accessible to all. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Byte Band Technologies | Apartment Eleven Eleven | Developer of an education technology company intended for redefining competitive exam preparation through artificial intelligence. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Founderz | Fitch Group | Operator of artificial intelligence education and workforce training services intended to help individuals and organizations develop practical AI skills. |
Source: PitchBook.
PreK-12
PreK-12 remained a concentrated four-company comp set, with Scholastic closing June at 98.0% of its 52-week high while Stride (50.4%) and Nerdy (52.6%) traded near half of theirs. Nursery and early childhood consolidation stayed active through June: AcadeMedia acquired both Kinderopvang Kindernet and Chestnut Nursery Schools, with Kido, Cadence Education, Nursery Elite, and H.Days Holdings also adding operators.
Public Company Data
| Market Cap ($M) | LTM | EV / LTM (×) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Ticker | Price (6/30/26) | % 52W High | Equity Mkt Cap | Enterprise Value | Revenue | Gross % | EBITDA | EBITDA % | 1-Yr Growth | Revenue | EBITDA |
| Bright Horizons Family Solutions | NYS: BFAM | $70.88 | 54.2% | 3,729 | 5,469 | 2,980 | 24% | 491 | 14% | 9% | 1.8× | 11.1× |
| Nerdy | NYS: NRDY | 0.92 | 52.6% | 116 | 100 | 180 | 60% | (11) | -25% | -2% | 0.6× | NM |
| Scholastic | NAS: SCHL | 46.00 | 98.0% | 849 | 1,029 | 1,614 | 56% | 158 | 14% | 1% | 0.6× | 6.5× |
| Stride | NYS: LRN | 86.24 | 50.4% | 3,667 | 3,409 | 2,536 | 38% | 626 | 21% | 11% | 1.3× | 5.4× |
| Harmonic Mean | 0.9× | 7.0× | ||||||||||
$USD in millions. NM = not meaningful. Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Historical Trading Multiples
Recent M&A Transactions
| Date | Target | Acquirer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Jun-2026 | Alpha Preparatory School | Inspired Learning Group | Operator of primary and early years educational services intended for children aged three to eleven. |
| 30-Jun-2026 | Amco Educación | MXO Management | Developer of an educational platform intended to specialize in English learning systems for class 12. |
| 24-Jun-2026 | Little Swans Day Nursery | Nursery Elite | Provider of childcare services intended to support early childhood development. |
| 23-Jun-2026 | Kinderopvang Kindernet | AcadeMedia | Provider of childcare services intended for children aged zero to twelve years. |
| 22-Jun-2026 | Chestnut Nursery Schools | AcadeMedia | Provider of preschool education services intended for early childhood development. |
| 20-Jun-2026 | Arts+ | ArifPay | Provider of arts education services intended for students of all ages and backgrounds. |
| 16-Jun-2026 | Lab4U | Britebound | Developer of an educational platform designed to democratize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. |
| 16-Jun-2026 | Advantage Day Nursery | Kido | Provider of early years education services intended to help children aged three months to five years. |
| 11-Jun-2026 | Generation Schools | Old Mutual Alternative Investments | Provider of private schooling services intended for educational development. |
| 11-Jun-2026 | Gyrotonic | ONCAP | Provider of movement instruction services intended to improve physical strength and flexibility. |
| 08-Jun-2026 | Profes | SuperProf | Developer of an educational platform designed to offer lessons in all subjects and topics. |
| 04-Jun-2026 | Polka Dot Farm Nursery | H.Days Holdings | Provider of childcare services intended for nurturing growth and creativity. |
| 03-Jun-2026 | Victory Swimming School | Copin | Provider of swimming lessons and fitness programs designed to help children and adults learn to swim, stay active, and build healthy lifestyles. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Especially For Children | Cadence Education | Provider of childcare services intended to encourage children to learn and grow. |
| 01-Jun-2026 | Gold Medal Swim School | ZBS Partners | Provider of swimming instruction intended to build water safety and confidence. |
Source: PitchBook.
Higher Education
Higher Education again traded near the top of its range at 79% of 52-week highs, with Pearson (99.3%), Laureate Education (94.9%), Universal Technical Institute (93.5%), Lincoln Technical Institute (93.3%), and Graham Holdings (93.2%) all closing June near peak levels. The month’s headline transaction was Educational Testing Service’s acquisition of ACT, alongside HCA Healthcare’s late-May purchase of the College of Health Care Professions closing into the period and continued cross-border activity.
Public Company Data
| Market Cap ($M) | LTM | EV / LTM (×) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Ticker | Price (6/30/26) | % 52W High | Equity Mkt Cap | Enterprise Value | Revenue | Gross % | EBITDA | EBITDA % | 1-Yr Growth | Revenue | EBITDA |
| American Public Education | NAS: APEI | $53.70 | 87.2% | 985 | 921 | 659 | 55% | 86 | 11% | 4% | 1.4× | 10.7× |
| Barnes & Noble Education | NYS: BNED | 12.56 | 85.2% | 431 | 737 | 1,729 | 20% | 55 | 3% | 11% | 0.4× | 13.3× |
| Cogna Educação | BVMF: COGN3 | 0.43 | 48.2% | 867 | 1,879 | 1,383 | 67% | 482 | 32% | 16% | 1.4× | 3.9× |
| Coursera | NYS: COUR | 5.64 | 41.6% | 1,615 | 825 | 774 | 55% | 58 | -8% | 10% | 1.1× | 14.2× |
| Covista | NYS: CVSA | 124.66 | 79.8% | 4,242 | 4,832 | 1,910 | 57% | 505 | 23% | 10% | 2.5× | 9.6× |
| D2L | TSE: DTOL | 7.19 | 52.7% | 391 | 307 | 222 | 68% | 25 | 7% | 6% | 1.4× | 12.1× |
| Graham Holdings | NYS: GHC | 1,141.42 | 93.2% | 4,916 | 5,120 | 4,982 | 30% | 635 | 13% | 4% | 1.0× | 8.1× |
| Grand Canyon Education | NAS: LOPE | 143.11 | 64.2% | 3,794 | 3,647 | 1,126 | 53% | 377 | 28% | 7% | 3.2× | 9.7× |
| Laureate Education | NAS: LAUR | 36.32 | 94.9% | 5,084 | 5,650 | 1,738 | 27% | 511 | 30% | 14% | 3.3× | 11.1× |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | NAS: LINC | 49.90 | 93.3% | 1,583 | 1,773 | 545 | 60% | 72 | 10% | 20% | 3.3× | 24.6× |
| Pearson | LON: PSON | 15.85 | 99.3% | 9,517 | 11,083 | 4,712 | 52% | 1,054 | 30% | 1% | 2.4× | 10.5× |
| Perdoceo Education | NAS: PRDO | 32.00 | 83.1% | 2,007 | 1,445 | 855 | 77% | 287 | 29% | 18% | 1.7× | 5.0× |
| Strategic Education | NAS: STRA | 76.62 | 87.7% | 1,733 | 1,684 | 1,271 | 49% | 276 | 18% | 3% | 1.3× | 6.1× |
| Tribal Group | LON: TRB | 0.80 | 78.8% | 170 | 156 | 122 | 50% | 23 | 18% | 3% | 1.3× | 6.8× |
| Universal Technical Institute | NYS: UTI | 42.77 | 93.5% | 2,355 | 2,509 | 869 | 49% | 103 | 13% | 11% | 2.9× | 24.3× |
| Harmonic Mean | 1.4× | 8.9× | ||||||||||
$USD in millions. Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Historical Trading Multiples
Recent M&A Transactions
| Date | Target | Acquirer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Jun-2026 | ACT | Educational Testing Service | Operator of an educational nonprofit organization intended for students and professionals. |
| 30-Jun-2026 | Sentara College of Health Sciences | Batten University | Provider of healthcare education services intended to prepare students for professional medical careers. |
| 26-Jun-2026 | Villioti Fashion Institute | Inscape Education Group | Operator of a private fashion education institute intended to provide accredited tertiary qualifications and vocational training. |
| 18-Jun-2026 | South Australian Institute of Business and Technology | Online Education Services | Provider of educational pathway programs intended for university degree preparation. |
| 11-Jun-2026 | Carl Wahren Gymnasium | Cedergrenska | Provider of vocational education intended for career preparation and employment. |
| 09-Jun-2026 | NoNerds | Foursan Group | Provider of an educational platform intended to support university students with academic resources. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Byte Band Technologies | Apartment Eleven Eleven | Developer of an education technology company intended for redefining competitive exam preparation through artificial intelligence. |
| 01-Jun-2026 | Academy of Beauty Dermal & Laser | Pacific Equity Partners | Operator of an educational academy intended for students. |
Source: PitchBook.
Workforce Development
Workforce Development posted 1% estimated 2026 revenue growth and closed June at 72% of 52-week highs. HealthStream (92.0%), DHI Group (90.5%), and Korn Ferry (84.8%) finished the month near their highs, while Wolters Kluwer, at 38.4% of its 52-week high, continued to weigh on group multiples. June M&A stayed granular and services-heavy, spanning safety, compliance, and career-services training providers.
Public Company Data
| Market Cap ($M) | LTM | EV / LTM (×) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Ticker | Price (6/30/26) | % 52W High | Equity Mkt Cap | Enterprise Value | Revenue | Gross % | EBITDA | EBITDA % | 1-Yr Growth | Revenue | EBITDA |
| DHI Group | NYS: DHX | $3.71 | 90.5% | 160 | 199 | 125 | 85% | 36 | 11% | -9% | 1.6× | 5.5× |
| HealthStream | NAS: HSTM | 27.25 | 92.0% | 796 | 744 | 312 | 65% | 76 | 22% | 7% | 2.4× | 9.8× |
| Korn Ferry | NYS: KFY | 66.58 | 84.8% | 3,386 | 2,850 | 2,939 | 88% | 498 | 17% | 6% | 1.0× | 5.7× |
| Randstad | AMS: RAND | 28.79 | 55.2% | 5,051 | 6,893 | 26,583 | 18% | 1,008 | 4% | -4% | 0.3× | 6.8× |
| Wolters Kluwer | AMS: WKL | 64.45 | 38.4% | 14,390 | 19,090 | 6,909 | 73% | 2,264 | 36% | 4% | 2.8× | 8.4× |
| Harmonic Mean | 0.8× | 6.9× | ||||||||||
$USD in millions. Data as of June 30, 2026. Source: PitchBook.
Historical Trading Multiples
Recent M&A Transactions
| Date | Target | Acquirer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Jun-2026 | WrenchWay | A.S.E | Provider of human capital services intended to promote and improve technician careers. |
| 27-Jun-2026 | Agent Impact Group | Innovation360 | Provider of professional development and coaching services intended for real estate agents. |
| 25-Jun-2026 | Hipster Gate | Bizmates | Provider of corporate training and human resource development services designed to support organizational growth and workforce capability building. |
| 24-Jun-2026 | Cornbread Hustle | TruRecruiting | Provider of staffing services intended for employment opportunities. |
| 23-Jun-2026 | Canada Training Group | Herzig Engineering | Provider of electrical safety training services intended for workplace safety and technical proficiency. |
| 22-Jun-2026 | Flick Learning | Impact Futures Group | Developer of an e-learning and compliance training platform intended for corporate organizations. |
| 18-Jun-2026 | Work Step | B-Plast | Provider of recruitment and consulting services intended for female career reintegration. |
| 18-Jun-2026 | Transcompss | Para | Provider of compliance training services intended to streamline success for transportation companies. |
| 10-Jun-2026 | Alexander Technical Institute | Nagase America | Provider of technical training, testing and consulting services intended to serve the coatings and related raw materials. |
| 05-Jun-2026 | Adélice Formation | Virage Conseil | Provider of professional training programs in food trades, retail, and artisanal sectors, catering to employees. |
| 05-Jun-2026 | Get Set UK | Palladium Group | Provider of employment, training, and workforce development services. |
| 02-Jun-2026 | Elevate USA | Government Leadership Solutions | Provider of professional skills training and management consulting services intended to support workforce development. |
Source: PitchBook.
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