NELNET INC — Financial Data
Annual figures from SEC EDGAR XBRL filings (10-K)
These figures are extracted directly from XBRL-tagged financial statements that NELNET INC filed with the SEC as part of its annual 10-K reports. XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a structured data format the SEC requires for machine-readable financial disclosures. Values shown are as reported — negative figures indicate a loss and are shown in red.
Revenue
Total revenue from all business activities — the top line of the income statement. Represents all money earned before any expenses are deducted.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2014 | Dec 31, 2014 | $0 | Feb 27, 2015 |
| FY2014 | Dec 31, 2013 | $0 | Feb 27, 2015 |
| FY2014 | Dec 31, 2012 | $0 | Feb 27, 2015 |
| FY2013 | Dec 31, 2011 | $0 | Feb 27, 2014 |
Net Income
The bottom-line profit — what remains after all operating expenses, interest, taxes, and other costs are deducted. A negative value means the company reported a net loss for the year.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $428.47M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $184.05M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $89.83M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | $406.90M | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | $393.29M | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2020 | $234.99M | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | $71.50M | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | $86.48M | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ($40.53M) | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | $42.38M | Feb 25, 2021 |
Operating Cash Flow
Cash generated from core business operations — a more reliable measure of financial health than net income because it strips out non-cash items like depreciation and one-time charges.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $422.99M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $662.89M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $432.03M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | $683.06M | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | $480.33M | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | $349.10M | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | $298.92M | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2018 | $270.89M | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2017 | $322.27M | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2018 | Dec 31, 2016 | $300.19M | Feb 27, 2019 |
Capital Expenditures (Capex)
Cash spent on acquiring or upgrading physical assets — property, equipment, and infrastructure. High capex businesses include manufacturing, telecom, and energy companies.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $26.24M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $20.90M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $74.05M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | $59.42M | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | $58.95M | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | $113.31M | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | $92.50M | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2018 | $125.02M | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2017 | $156.01M | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2018 | Dec 31, 2016 | $67.60M | Feb 27, 2019 |
Total Assets
The total value of everything the company owns or controls — cash, investments, receivables, property, equipment, and intangibles. Reported as of fiscal year end.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $14.06B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $13.78B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $16.71B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | $19.36B | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | $21.68B | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | $22.65B | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | $23.71B | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2018 | $25.22B | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2017 | $23.96B | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2018 | Dec 31, 2016 | $27.19B | Feb 27, 2019 |
Total Liabilities
All financial obligations owed to outside parties — including debt, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred revenue. Subtracting liabilities from total assets gives stockholders' equity.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $10.49B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $10.48B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | $13.51B | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | $16.17B | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | $18.73B | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | $20.02B | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | $21.32B | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | $22.91B | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | $21.80B | Feb 27, 2019 |
| FY2014 | Dec 31, 2014 | $28.37B | Feb 27, 2015 |
Stockholders Equity
The net worth attributable to shareholders: total assets minus total liabilities. Also called book value. Can be negative if liabilities exceed assets, which is common in capital-intensive industries.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $3.69B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $3.35B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | $3.25B | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | $3.20B | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | $2.95B | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | $2.63B | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | $2.39B | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | $2.30B | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2014 | Dec 31, 2014 | $1.73B | Feb 27, 2015 |
| FY2014 | Dec 31, 2013 | $1.44B | Feb 27, 2015 |
Goodwill
An intangible asset representing the premium paid above fair value when acquiring another company. A large goodwill balance signals a history of acquisitions at premium prices.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $158.03M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $158.03M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $158.03M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | $176.90M | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | $142.09M | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | $142.09M | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | $156.91M | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | $156.91M | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2017 | $138.76M | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2018 | Dec 31, 2016 | $147.31M | Feb 27, 2019 |
Retained Earnings
Cumulative net income kept by the company rather than distributed as dividends. A growing retained earnings balance indicates consistent profitability; a deficit indicates cumulative losses.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $3.68B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $3.34B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | $3.27B | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | $3.23B | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | $2.94B | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | $2.62B | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Jan 1, 2020 | $2.36B | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | $2.38B | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | $2.30B | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | $2.14B | Feb 27, 2019 |
Cash & Equivalents
Highly liquid assets the company holds — cash on hand, bank balances, and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less. A key indicator of short-term financial health.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $295.98M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $194.52M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $168.11M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2022 | $118.15M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2021 | $125.56M | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2020 | $121.25M | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2019 | $133.91M | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2019 | Jan 1, 2019 | $120.70M | Feb 27, 2020 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2018 | $121.35M | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2017 | $66.75M | Feb 25, 2021 |
Long-Term Debt
Debt obligations due more than one year from the balance sheet date — bonds, term loans, and notes payable. High long-term debt relative to equity can signal elevated financial leverage.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $7.78B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $8.31B | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | $11.83B | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | $14.64B | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | $17.63B | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | $19.32B | Feb 28, 2022 |
EPS (Basic)
Net income divided by the weighted average shares outstanding. Basic EPS does not account for dilutive securities like options or convertible bonds — use diluted EPS for a more conservative view.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | 11 | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | 5 | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | 2 | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | 10 | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | 10 | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | 9 | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | 3 | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2012 | Dec 31, 2012 | 1 | Feb 28, 2013 |
| FY2012 | Sep 30, 2012 | 0 | Feb 28, 2013 |
| FY2012 | Jun 30, 2012 | 0 | Feb 28, 2013 |
EPS (Diluted)
Net income divided by the fully diluted share count — including all potential shares from options, warrants, and convertible instruments. The more conservative and widely cited EPS figure.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | 11 | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | 5 | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | 2 | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | 10 | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | 10 | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | 9 | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | 3 | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2012 | Dec 31, 2012 | 1 | Feb 28, 2013 |
| FY2012 | Sep 30, 2012 | 0 | Feb 28, 2013 |
| FY2012 | Jun 30, 2012 | 0 | Feb 28, 2013 |
Dividends Paid
Cash dividends distributed to common shareholders during the period. Shown as a positive value despite being a cash outflow in the SEC filing.
| Fiscal Year | Period End | Value | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | $42.99M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | $40.84M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2025 | Dec 31, 2023 | $39.42M | Feb 26, 2026 |
| FY2024 | Dec 31, 2022 | $36.61M | Feb 27, 2025 |
| FY2023 | Dec 31, 2021 | $34.46M | Feb 27, 2024 |
| FY2022 | Dec 31, 2020 | $31.78M | Feb 28, 2023 |
| FY2021 | Dec 31, 2019 | $29.49M | Feb 28, 2022 |
| FY2020 | Dec 31, 2018 | $26.84M | Feb 25, 2021 |
| FY2019 | Dec 31, 2017 | $24.10M | Feb 27, 2020 |