American University
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at American University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 29% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 83rd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (DC wage index 1.30). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at American University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,505 | $134,332 | +61% | #8 of 452 | #19 | $22,625 |
| Accounting and Related Services | — | $119,020 | +56% | #8 of 796 | #24 | — |
| Computer Science | — | $117,293 | +10% | #87 of 349 | #156 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,299 | $88,359 | +29% | #63 of 1176 | #180 | $24,500 |
| Economics | $58,151 | $85,016 | +3% | #137 of 368 | #225 | $22,191 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $50,026 | $78,410 | +23% | #16 of 178 | #51 | $26,442 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $49,486 | $76,552 | +37% | #13 of 207 | #23 | $23,000 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $19,337 | $75,461 | +68% | #1 of 19 | #1 | $19,085 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $47,551 | $73,865 | +11% | #31 of 118 | #57 | $23,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $48,034 | $73,604 | +16% | #84 of 565 | #202 | $23,250 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | $45,790 | $72,792 | +17% | #5 of 39 | #12 | $24,375 |
| Public Health | $42,194 | $70,831 | +20% | #25 of 215 | #74 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,980 | $67,863 | +20% | #73 of 660 | #173 | $22,611 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,147 | $66,970 | +21% | #50 of 660 | #200 | $23,250 |
| Journalism | $44,387 | $66,635 | +18% | #19 of 187 | #61 | $24,976 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $55,625 | $66,160 | +40% | #10 of 680 | #43 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,780 | $63,711 | +16% | #41 of 265 | #101 | $26,125 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $46,206 | $63,553 | +23% | #8 of 103 | #18 | $25,000 |
| Psychology | $25,773 | $62,240 | +23% | #68 of 1027 | #249 | $23,500 |
| History | $43,809 | $59,630 | +18% | #62 of 459 | #191 | $26,000 |
| Literature | $23,164 | $54,436 | +18% | #2 of 8 | #2 | $26,105 |
| Anthropology | — | $53,036 | +14% | #48 of 188 | #97 | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $26,767 | $52,661 | +20% | #20 of 144 | #49 | $22,000 |
| Area Studies | $43,671 | — | — | — | — | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $40,119 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,115 | — | — | — | — | $23,250 |
| Biology | $33,917 | — | — | — | — | $19,701 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,979 | — | — | — | — | $24,989 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The American University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $1,103,092
- Avg rent near campus: $2,843/mo — vs ~$1,212/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 20009 (3.8% cap, Washington)
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🏆 Where American University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $55,724 | $55,724 |
| Room | $10,910 | |
| Board | $6,130 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $76,175 | $76,175 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from American University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at American University?
How much does it cost to attend American University?
What is the graduation rate at American University?
Is American University a good school?
- Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (B+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (B): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend American University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to American University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology