Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, vs Stemtree
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, vs Stemtree: Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, costs $113K to $150K to open; Stemtree costs $93K to $186K. Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, has 94 units, Stemtree has 8. SBA loan history: Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, = 109 loans (0.9% default); Stemtree = 10 loans (0.0% 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.
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, vs Stemtree: 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
Stemtree requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($93K vs $113K for Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,), a 22% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $49K for Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, versus $45K for Stemtree, Stemtree has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 10% for Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, and 8% for Stemtree, giving Stemtree the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, operates 94 units to Stemtree's 8, roughly 12× the system size. Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, has been operating 24 years (founded 2002) versus 12 for Stemtree (founded 2014), a 12-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 109 7(a) approvals compared with 10 for Stemtree.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.9% for Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, and 0.0% for Stemtree, Stemtree has the cleaner SBA loss record by 0.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 64 (Moderate) for Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, and 50 (Moderate) for Stemtree, giving Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 64/100 | 50/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 109 | 10 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.9% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $113K to $150K | $93K to $186K |
Franchise Fee | $49K | $45K |
Royalty Rate | 10% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $113K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 94 | 8 |
Franchised Units | 94 | 8 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 2011 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 15 yrs |
Headquarters | Los Angeles, CA | Vienna, VA |
Category | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, or Stemtree?
Lower upfront capital required
Stemtree
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,: $113K starting · Stemtree: $93K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,: 109 SBA loans · Stemtree: 10 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Stemtree
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,: 0.9% · Stemtree: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,: 94 units · Stemtree: 8 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Stemtree
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,: 10% · Stemtree: 8%
More lender financing options
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers,: 59 unique lenders · Stemtree: 7 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
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, vs Stemtree: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, and Stemtree is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $93K to $186K.
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, has 109 SBA loans on record and Stemtree has 10. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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.
Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, vs Stemtree, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, or Stemtree?
How much does a Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, franchise cost compared to Stemtree?
Can I finance Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, or Stemtree with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Mathnasium Learning Centers; Mathnasium Centers, or Stemtree?
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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