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Stride vs. Coursera: Which Online Education Stock is the Better Buy?
ZACKS· 2025-12-17 16:11
Core Insights - The online education and E-learning market is experiencing significant growth driven by increased adoption in K-12, higher education, workforce training, and corporate learning, with companies like Stride, Inc. and Coursera, Inc. benefiting from this trend [1][2] Group 1: Stride, Inc. (LRN) - Stride focuses on the U.S. market, offering K-12 virtual schooling and career learning programs, aligning with the shift towards hybrid education models [3][4] - In Q1 of fiscal 2026, Stride's Career Learning segment revenues grew 16.3% year-over-year to $257.8 million, with enrollments increasing by 20%, outpacing the General Education segment's growth of 10.2% [5] - Stride has launched a free one-on-one tutoring program for second and third graders, indicating strong community support and engagement [6] - However, Stride faced technical issues with new platforms, resulting in 10,000-15,000 fewer enrollments than expected, which may impact near-term prospects [7] Group 2: Coursera, Inc. (COUR) - Coursera operates a global business model supported by subscriptions and AI integration, with its Consumer segment revenues growing 9% year-over-year to $370.7 million in the first nine months of 2025 [8][9] - The company has introduced new offerings like Skills Tracks and AI-powered Course Builder, enhancing its value proposition and learner outcomes [11] - Coursera's scalable subscription model and strong cash flow generation position it well for long-term growth, despite facing macro uncertainties in corporate spending [12][13] - The company has maintained its earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026, reflecting year-over-year growth of 14.7% and 16.1%, respectively [20] Group 3: Stock Performance & Valuation - In the past six months, Coursera's share price performance has outperformed Stride's, although both stocks show a declining trend [14] - Stride is trading at a discount compared to Coursera, which has a premium valuation despite slowing growth momentum [15][17] - Both stocks currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), but Coursera is viewed as a more compelling investment opportunity compared to Stride [23]