Lightbridge Academy vs The Learning Experience
Lightbridge Academy vs The Learning Experience: Lightbridge Academy costs $590K to $3.1M to open; The Learning Experience costs $2.1M to $5.6M. Lightbridge Academy has 43 units, The Learning Experience has 293. SBA loan history: Lightbridge Academy = 50 loans (0.0% default); The Learning Experience = 364 loans (3.0% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Lightbridge Academy vs The Learning Experience: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Lightbridge Academy requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($590K vs $2.1M for The Learning Experience), a 73% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Lightbridge Academy versus $60K for The Learning Experience, Lightbridge Academy has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Lightbridge Academy and 7% for The Learning Experience, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Learning Experience operates 293 units to Lightbridge Academy's 43, roughly 7× the system size. The Learning Experience has been operating 46 years (founded 1980) versus 29 for Lightbridge Academy (founded 1997), a 17-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Learning Experience has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 364 7(a) approvals compared with 50 for Lightbridge Academy. Lightbridge Academy's peak SBA year was 2019 (11 loans); The Learning Experience's peak was 2025 (46 loans). The Learning Experience's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Lightbridge Academy has the most SBA funded units in NJ, with 14. The Learning Experience leads in TX, with 70. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Lightbridge Academy deals is $1.5M vs $705K for The Learning Experience, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Lightbridge Academy and 3.0% for The Learning Experience, Lightbridge Academy has the cleaner SBA loss record by 3.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 71 (Strong) for Lightbridge Academy and 79 (Strong) for The Learning Experience, giving The Learning Experience the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 71/100 | 79/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 50 | 364 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 3.0% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $590K to $3.1M | $2.1M to $5.6M |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $150K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $350K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 293 |
Franchised Units | 43 | 293 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 15 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 1980 |
Franchising Since | 2011 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 15 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | HOBOKEN, NJ | Deerfield Beach, FL |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Lightbridge Academy or The Learning Experience?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: $590K starting · The Learning Experience: $2.1M starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Learning Experience
Lightbridge Academy: 50 SBA loans · The Learning Experience: 364 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy: 0.0% · The Learning Experience: 3.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: 43 units · The Learning Experience: 293 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: 7% · The Learning Experience: 7%
More lender financing options
The Learning Experience
Lightbridge Academy: 16 unique lenders · The Learning Experience: 97 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Lightbridge Academy vs The Learning Experience: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Lightbridge Academy and The Learning Experience is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $590K to $5.6M.
Lightbridge Academy has 50 SBA loans on record and The Learning Experience has 364. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Both brands have an established underwriting path, though the lender that fits a specific deal still depends on its size, location and the buyer.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Lightbridge Academy vs The Learning Experience, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Lightbridge Academy or The Learning Experience?
How much does a Lightbridge Academy franchise cost compared to The Learning Experience?
Can I finance Lightbridge Academy or The Learning Experience with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Lightbridge Academy or The Learning Experience?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman