University of Phoenix Seeks Revival with Upcoming IPO

The University of Phoenix is preparing to return to the public markets through an initial public offering (IPO) with its parent entity, Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. This comes after a significant improvement from the last time the university attempted to go public. The IPO is expected to bring the university back to the public markets.

Phoenix Education Partners, Inc., the parent company of the University of Phoenix, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. This move comes after the company's previous attempt to sell the university to the University of Idaho fell through in June [1].

The IPO, which is expected to be valued between $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion, will list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "PXED" [2]. The company will be renamed Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. following the IPO, according to a filing made with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission [1].

The University of Phoenix has faced regulatory scrutiny in the past for misleading and defrauding students. The company's predecessor, Apollo Education Group, went private in 2017 in a $1.1 billion deal backed by Apollo Global Management Inc. and the Vistria Group [1].

The IPO filing underscores Apollo's strategy of backing companies in high-growth sectors and supporting their transitions to public markets. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, BMO Capital Markets, and Jefferies have been appointed as lead underwriters for the offering [2].

References:
[1] https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/09/03/university-phoenix-plans-go-public
[2] https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/apollo-backed-phoenix-education-partners-files-for-us-ipo/