LAUREATE EDUCATION REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2025 AND PROVIDES 2026 OUTLOOK (Form 8-K)

LAUREATE EDUCATION REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2025 AND PROVIDES 2026 OUTLOOK

Company Announces $150 Million Increase in Share Repurchase Authorization

MIAMI - February 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Laureate Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAUR), which operates five higher education institutions across Mexico and Peru, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2025.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights (compared to fourth quarter 2024):

•On a reported basis, revenue increased 28% to $541.4 million. On an organic constant currency basis1, revenue increased by 16% and was favorably affected by approximately $25 million of intra-year academic calendar timing.

•Operating income was $179.5 million, compared to $124.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024.

•Net income was $171.5 million, compared to net income of $93.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in net income compared to 2024 was mainly driven by higher operating income as well as a discrete tax benefit of $56.9 million recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2025.

•Adjusted EBITDA was $204.3 million, compared to $141.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2025 was favorably affected by approximately $21 million of intra-year academic calendar timing.

Year Ended December 31, 2025 Highlights (compared to year ended December 31, 2024):

•New enrollments increased 8%.

•Total enrollments increased 5%.

•On a reported basis, revenue increased 9% to $1,701.9 million. On an organic constant currency basis1, revenue was up 8%.

•Operating income was $431.1 million, compared to $374.0 million for 2024.

•Net income was $283.8 million, compared to net income of $296.4 million for 2024. The decrease in net income was mainly driven by the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany balances compared to 2024.

•Adjusted EBITDA was $518.9 million, as compared to $450.1 million for 2024.

Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Laureate delivered another strong year of performance in 2025, with sustained revenue growth and expanding margins. Our robust balance sheet and significant free cash flow generation enabled us to continue investing in our long-term growth strategy, including the opening of two new campuses and further innovation in digital and AI capabilities, while returning more than $200 million of excess capital to shareholders through share repurchases. As we enter 2026, we continue to see attractive growth opportunities across our local markets and remain focused on executing our growth agenda while continuing to return excess capital to shareholders."

Mr. Serck-Hanssen added, "I am profoundly grateful to each member of the Laureate community for their dedication, compassion, and steadfast commitment to our students' success in 2025. Together, our more than 30,000 faculty and staff are advancing our mission to transform lives and strengthen communities in Mexico and Peru by expanding access to affordable, high-quality education."

1 Organic constant currency results exclude the period-over-period impact from currency fluctuations, acquisitions and divestitures.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Results

For the fourth quarter of 2025, revenue on a reported basis was $541.4 million, an increase of $118.0 million, or 28%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue increased 16%. Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 was favorably affected by approximately $25 million of intra-year academic calendar timing. Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $179.5 million, compared to $124.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $55.3 million. Net income was $171.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to net income of $93.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of $77.9 million. The increase in net income was mainly driven by higher operating income compared to 2024. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2025 were $1.18 and $1.17, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $204.3 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $141.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2025 was favorably affected by approximately $21 million of intra-year academic calendar timing.

Year Ended December 31, 2025 Results

New enrollments for full-year 2025 increased 8% compared to new enrollment activity for full-year 2024, and total enrollments were up 5%. New and total enrollments in Peru increased 13% and 7%, respectively, compared to 2024. New and total enrollments in Mexico increased 5% and 4%, respectively, compared to 2024.

For the full-year 2025, revenue on a reported basis was $1,701.9 million, an increase of $135.3 million, or 9%, compared to 2024. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue increased 8%. Operating income for 2025 was $431.1 million compared to $374.0 million for 2024. The increase in operating income versus the prior year resulted mainly from growth in revenue and cost controls. Net income for 2025 was $283.8 million, compared to net income of $296.4 million for 2024, a decrease of $12.6 million. The decrease in net income was mainly driven by the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany balances compared to 2024. Basic and diluted earnings per share for 2025 were $1.91 and $1.89, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was $518.9 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $450.1 million for 2024.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Structure

Laureate has a strong balance sheet position. As of December 31, 2025, Laureate had $146.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and gross debt of $129.1 million. Accordingly, net cash was $17.6 million as of December 31, 2025.

Laureate repurchased approximately $217 million of its common stock during 2025 under the previously announced stock repurchase programs. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately $31 million of share repurchase authorization remaining on its previously announced stock repurchase program.

As of December 31, 2025, Laureate had 142.9 million total shares outstanding.

Increase in Share Repurchase Program

Laureate today announced that its board of directors approved a $150 million increase to its existing stock repurchase program, from $250 million to $400 million, to acquire shares of the Company's common stock. After giving effect to this new authorization and taking into account the $219 million of cumulative repurchases through December 31, 2025, the Company may repurchase up to approximately $181 million of its common stock under its stock repurchase program, which has no fixed expiration date. The Company intends to finance the repurchases with free cash flow, excess cash and liquidity on-hand, including available capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility. The Company's proposed repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means,

depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Repurchases may be effected pursuant to a trading plan adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The Company's board of directors will review the share repurchase program periodically and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size or suspend or discontinue the program.

Outlook for Fiscal 2026

Laureate's 2026 outlook shows continued growth momentum and margin opportunities.

Based on assumed foreign exchange spot rates2, Laureate currently expects its full-year 2026 results to be as follows:

•Total enrollments are expected to be in the range of 516,000 to 521,000 students, reflecting growth of 4%-5% versus 2025;

•Revenues are expected to be in the range of $1,890 million to $1,905 million, reflecting growth of 11%-12% on an as-reported basis and growth of 6%-7% on an organic constant currency basis versus 2025;

•Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $583 million to $593 million, reflecting growth of 12%-14% on an as-reported basis and 7%-9% on an organic constant currency basis versus 2025; and

•Adjusted earnings per share (Adjusted EPS) is expected to be in the range of $1.95 - $2.03 per share3, reflecting growth of 13%-18% on an as-reported basis.

Reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP measures, specifically the 2026 Adjusted EBITDA outlook and 2026 Adjusted EPS outlook, to the relevant forward-looking GAAP measures are not being provided, as Laureate does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such outlooks and reconciliations. Due to this uncertainty, the Company cannot reconcile projected Adjusted EBITDA and projected Adjusted EPS to projected net income without unreasonable effort.

Please see the "Forward-Looking Statements" section in this release for a discussion of certain risks related to this outlook.

Conference Call

Laureate will host an earnings conference call today at 8:30 am ET. Interested parties are invited to listen to the earnings call by registering at https://bit.ly/LAURQ42025 to receive dial-in information. The webcast of the conference call, including replays, and a copy of this press release and the related slides will be made available through the Investor Relations section of Laureate's website at www.laureate.net.

2 Based on actual FX rates for January 2026, and assumed FX rates (local currency per U.S. Dollar) of MXN 17.95 and PEN 3.45 for February - December 2026. FX impact may change based on fluctuations in currency rates in future periods.

3 Assumes diluted weighted average shares outstanding of approximately 144 million.