Nature of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Business

Nature of Business

American Public Education, Inc., or APEI, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to as the “Company,” is a provider of online and campus-based postsecondary education to approximately 85,500 students through two subsidiary institutions:

• American Public University System, Inc., or APUS, provides online postsecondary education directed primarily at the needs of the military, military-affiliated and public safety communities through American Military University, or AMU, and American Public University, or APU. APUS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

• National Education Seminars, Inc., which is referred to herein as Hondros College of Nursing, or HCN, provides nursing education to students at five campuses in Ohio as well as online to serve the needs of the nursing and healthcare communities. HCN is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools, or ACICS, and the online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, or RN-to-BSN Program, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In June 2016, HCN was notified that its Diploma in Practical Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing programs, or the PN and ADN Programs, were granted pre-accreditation candidacy status by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

The Company’s institutions are licensed or otherwise authorized, or are in the process of obtaining such licenses or authorizations, to offer postsecondary education programs by state authorities to the extent the institutions believe such licenses or authorizations are required, and are certified by the United States Department of Education, or ED, to participate in student financial aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, or Title IV programs.

The Company’s operations are organized into two reportable segments:

• American Public Education Segment, or APEI Segment.This segment reflects the operational activities at APUS, other corporate activities, and minority investments.

• Hondros College of Nursing Segment, or HCN Segment. This segment reflects the operational activities of HCN.