How to Value a Education Business
What education businesses sell for in 2026, what drives value in the sector, and how to estimate your own — in about ten seconds.
Public EV/EBITDA
9.0×
Typical private range
2.7–6.3×
EV/Sales
2.5×
Public multiples: Damodaran, NYU Stern, January 2026. Private range applies SellSide's size discount. Indicative only.
What drives value in education
Enrolment retention, accreditation, recurring tuition and how much depends on a single owner or location.
The headline multiples above are public-company averages. A private business almost always sells for less — smaller companies carry more risk, are harder to sell quickly, and are often more dependent on the owner. That's why the typical private range sits well below the public figure, with the smallest businesses at the bottom of it.
Worked example
A education business earning $500,000 of EBITDA, valued at the middle of the private range (~4.5×), would be worth around $2,250,000 — before adjusting for growth, margins and country.
Value your businessAll industries →
Compare EBITDA multiples across every sector.
Education for sale →
Browse live education opportunities.
Thinking of selling a education business?
Book a no-obligation call for a proper valuation and a plan to reach the right buyers.