47% rise in online students. NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Strayer Education Inc. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose to $24.0 million, or $1.71 a share, from $19.5 million, or $1.34 a share, in the same quarter a year before. Analysts had expected earnings on average of $1.70 a share, according to a FactSet Research survey. Revenue for the quarter was $114.3 million compared to $89.1 million in the year-ago period. The Arlington, Va.-based educational services company said that based on strong enrollment growth announced for the 2009 winter term and planned investments in opening new campuses, it estimates first-quarter profit to be in the range of $1.96 to $1.98 a share. (Corrects earning figures and comparisons.) Yet stock plummets at one point by almost 20%??? Visit the EDU stock Page! Yes I know,  the analysts wanted even bigger blow-out numbers like APOL & ESI, but Come on…  a 15-20% shilacking??  ]]>