American University
Washington, District of Columbia. 7,266 undergraduates. Admits 62% of applicants.
Graduates' median debt ($22,250) equals 26% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($85,458).
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Do students finish, and what do they earn?
| Measure | This college | Similar colleges nationally |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 75% | 54% |
| Return for second year | 88% | 76% |
| Median earnings, 6 years after starting | $64,737 | $49,318 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after starting | $85,458 | $58,912 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,250 | $21,609 |
Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).
Programs and what graduates earn
145 programs reported| Program | Graduates / yr | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 52 | $55,185 | $100,928 | $21,229 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 67 | $47,971 | $78,850 | $23,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 35 | $51,356 | $71,910 | $20,500 |
| Area Studies | 1 | — | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 4 | — | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 13 | — | — | — |
| Statistics | 1 | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 6 | — | — | — |
| Data Analytics | 2 | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | 4 | — | — | — |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 2 | — | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 1 | — | — | — |
| Program | Graduates / yr | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 3 | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 34 | — | — | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 2 | — | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 5 | — | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 2 | — | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5 | — | — | — |
| Public Administration | 9 | — | — | — |
| Anthropology | 1 | — | — | — |
| Economics | 7 | — | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 8 | — | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 2 | — | — | — |
| History | 6 | — | — | — |
| Program | Graduates / yr | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 378 | $83,340 | $112,268 | — |
Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.
Getting in
Similar colleges in District of Columbia
Quick answers
- How much does American University cost per year?
- The average net price at American University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $41,302 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
- How much do American University graduates earn?
- Former American University students earn a median of $85,458 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
- What is the graduation rate at American University?
- 75% of American University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
- How much student debt do American University graduates have?
- The median federal student debt at graduation from American University is $22,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
