American Public University System Completes Planned Combination

[Charles Fout]

As an American Military university alumnus, and now an APEI shareholder, I love watching this play out.






Charles Town, WV— August 6, 2026 – American Public University System, or the System, announced it has completed its planned combination to create a unified institution offering more than 290 degree programs to educate its global learning community of approximately 109,000 students1 and 250,000 alumni. The System, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, brings together the strengths of four mission-driven academic units: American Military University (AMU), American Public University (APU), Rasmussen University (RU), and Hondros College of Nursing (HCN). The newly formed System Board of Trustees appointed Angela Selden to serve as Chancellor. Ms. Selden will also continue to serve as the President and CEO of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI).

Charles Town, WV— August 6, 2026 – American Public University System, or the System, announced it has completed its planned combination to create a unified institution offering more than 290 degree programs to educate its global learning community of approximately 109,000 students1 and 250,000 alumni. The System, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, brings together the strengths of four mission-driven academic units: American Military University (AMU), American Public University (APU), Rasmussen University (RU), and Hondros College of Nursing (HCN). The newly formed System Board of Trustees appointed Angela Selden to serve as Chancellor. Ms. Selden will also continue to serve as the President and CEO of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI).

[sanantone]

290 degree programs?

[Charles Fout]

What do you propose to the appropriate number of degree programs with this combination of four universities?

[sanantone]

I'm just surprised there are so many, but I suspect some are certificate programs and various concentrations under the same major. APU and AMU have the same degree programs. Rasmussen doesn't have many degree programs. Hondros only offers nursing programs.

[Charles Fout]

Education is an investment.

Upon graduation from high school, I attended Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana. At the time I did not appreciate how very good and foundational my Saint Joseph's College studies were. After about two years, I ran away and joined the Navy. I was quickly able to earn an associate's degree. As I approached active duty retirement Years later, I felt the need  to earn a bachelor's degree. I decided to go with AMU, it was a little controversial at  the time. I was able to transfer the maximum of 90 credit hours. I completed a dozen AMU classes and I was awarded my BA in Management in 2002. I look at my AMU degree as the culmination of the undergraduate studies I began at Saint Joseph's College. Initially AMU was established to provide commissioned officers with an opportunity to further their Professional Military Education. Very few under graduate degrees were awarded before mine. Our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was working on his AMU Masters degree at the same time I was working on my BA

Because of all of that I was very happy to read APEI is now publicly traded, and I bought some shares.

I continue to be amazed by the growth of my alma mater.