Rasmussen University Opens New Orlando Campus, Expanding Florida Footprint

New Orlando campus to help meet region's growing healthcare workforce needs

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Public Education Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI) is proud to announce the opening of a new Rasmussen University campus in Orlando, Florida further expanding its footprint throughout the state and reinforcing its long-standing commitment to educating the region's future nurses. Located at 8541 Southpark Circle, the new Orlando campus increases access to high-quality nursing education while helping address critical healthcare workforce shortages across the region.

Notably, the Orlando campus introduces Rasmussen University's Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN) program to the Orlando market for the first time, alongside the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Professional Nursing Associate's degree (ADN) programs. Enrollment is now underway, with classes beginning in April.

"As APEI's healthcare division, which includes Rasmussen University, begins its next chapter of growth, I am very pleased to introduce Rasmussen University's sixth campus to the Florida market, said Angela Selden, chief executive officer of American Public Education, Inc. "With the healthcare industry facing significant staffing challenges—particularly in nursing—expanding our presence in Orlando and the introduction of an LPN program allows us to create new entry points into the nursing profession and strengthen the local healthcare workforce."

Purpose-built to support hands-on learning, the two-story Orlando campus features well-equipped nursing skills and simulation labs, collaborative classrooms, and dedicated spaces for faculty and student engagement. These learning environments incorporate modern technology and realistic clinical tools to help prepare students for success in today's healthcare settings.

"Rasmussen has proudly served Central Florida since 2007. We are thrilled to officially open our Orlando campus and welcome students from across Orange, Osceola, and surrounding counties," said Mark Arnold, president of Rasmussen University. "Alongside our North Orlando and Ocala campuses, this new location strengthens our ability to serve Central Florida students and supports the region's growing demand for well-prepared nursing professionals."

About the Rasmussen University Nursing Programs

Rasmussen University is a national leader in prelicensure nursing education, offering multiple entry points and a full nursing education ladder for students at different career stages. Programs range from LPN to ADN and BSN degrees, as well as graduate-level Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)programs. Students learn from experienced faculty, train in modern simulation centers, and gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations with healthcare partners.

• Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN): Designed for students seeking entry into the nursing profession, this program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN® licensing exam and licensure as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), with opportunities to bridge into the ADN or BSN program for career advancement.
• ACEN-accredited¹ Professional Nursing Associate's Degree (ADN): Designed for students seeking to enter the nursing profession and become registered nurses.
• CCNE-accredited² Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): For students pursuing bachelor's-level preparation in nursing, with a strong focus on clinical excellence and career readiness.

To learn more about Rasmussen University's nursing programs, visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing.

To learn more about the new Rasmussen University Orlando campus, visit https://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/orlando/.

¹The associate nursing program at Rasmussen University at the Ocala campus (with an off-campus instructional site in North Orlando and Orlando) located in Ocala, Florida, is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at
https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs.

²The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY:
Rasmussen University, a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission—an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (www.hlcommission.org)—is committed to enriching our communities by providing innovative, career-ready higher learning and outstanding healthcare education. The University offers undergraduate and graduate programs online and in person at 20 campuses across the country across eight areas of study. Since 1900, Rasmussen has been creating opportunities, transforming lives, and strengthening communities through person-centered career-focused education. In 2025, the University celebrated 125 years of empowering students to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact. Rasmussen University is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). Learn more at www.rasmussen.edu.

ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION, INC.:
American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), through its institutions American Public University System (APUS), Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing provides education that transforms lives, advances careers, and improves communities.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Statements made in this press release regarding APEI or its subsidiaries that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about APEI and the industry. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "should," "will," "would," and similar words or their opposites. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future path, expected growth, registration, enrollments, revenues, net income, Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA, capital expenditures, the growth and profitability of Rasmussen University, plans with respect to recent, current and future initiatives, and the impact of the government shutdown on prospective and current students, the Company, and APUS.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to: APEI's failure to comply with regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, including the "90/10 Rule", and to maintain institutional accreditation and the impacts of any actions APEI may take to prevent or correct such failure; changes in the post-secondary education regulatory environment as a result of U.S. federal elections, including any changes by or as a result of actions of the current administration to the operations of the Department of Education or changes to or the elimination or implementation of laws, regulations, standards, policies, and practices; potential or actual government shutdowns, including the U.S federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, uncertainties in the estimated impact of the shutdown on APEI and its prospective and current students, and APEI's inability to mitigate these impacts; government budget and federal workforce uncertainty; the impact, timing, and projected benefits of the planned combination of APUS, RU, and HCN into one consolidated institution; APEI's dependence on the effectiveness of its ability to attract students who persist in its institutions' programs; changing market demands; declines in enrollments at APEI's subsidiaries; APEI's inability to effectively market its institutions' programs; APEI's inability to maintain strong relationships with the military and maintain course registrations and enrollments from military students; the loss or disruption of APEI's ability to receive funds under Title IV or TA programs or the reduction, elimination, or suspension of federal funds; adverse effects of changes APEI makes to improve the student experience and enhance the ability to identify and enroll students who are likely to succeed; APEI's need to successfully adjust to future market demands by updating existing programs and developing new programs; APEI's loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or ability to process Title IV financial aid; economic and market conditions and changes in interest rates; difficulties involving acquisitions; APEI's indebtedness and preferred stock, including the refinancing or redemption thereof; APEI's dependence on and the need to continue to invest in its technology infrastructure, including with respect to third-party vendors; the inability to recognize the intended benefits of APEI's cost savings and reduction and revenue generating efforts; APEI's ability to manage and limit its exposure to bad debt; and the various risks described in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in APEI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, unless required by law, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Contact: Molly Andersen
Mobile: 903.920.4366
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Public Education, Inc.