Strayer Education (Nasdaq: STRA) reported earnings on Nov. 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), Strayer Education met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share contracted significantly.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Strayer Education chalked up revenue of $124.3 million. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $123.5 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 8.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $135.9 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.36. The 12 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.31 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.36 for Q3 were 70% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.20 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 41.3%, 850 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.3%, 1,170 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.3%, 700 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $145.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.55.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $565.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $5.82.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 261 members out of 328 rating the stock outperform, and 67 members rating it underperform. Among 90 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 67 give Strayer Education a green thumbs-up, and 23 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Strayer Education is hold, with an average price target of $85.69.

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