American University
Washington, District of Columbia · Private, nonprofit · 7,266 undergraduates
Of 61 programs with reported earnings, 57 leave graduates out-earning a typical District of Columbia high-school graduate (about $40,140/yr) and 4 fall short. Another 102 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $23,233 |
| $30k to $48k | $20,444 |
| $48k to $75k | $26,035 |
| $75k to $110k | $30,063 |
| $110k and up | $53,673 |
| All families (average) | $41,943 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies | Bachelor's Degree | $73,865 | +$33,725 | clears the bar | $23,250 | 0.7 yrs |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | Master's Degree | $97,808 | +$57,668 | clears the bar | $61,500 | 1.1 yrs |
| Law | First Professional Degree | $109,523 | +$69,383 | clears the bar | $161,696 | 2.3 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $88,359 | +$48,219 | clears the bar | $24,500 | 0.5 yrs |
| Political Science and Government | Bachelor's Degree | $73,604 | +$33,464 | clears the bar | $23,250 | 0.7 yrs |
| Public Administration | Master's Degree | $107,866 | +$67,726 | clears the bar | $55,000 | 0.8 yrs |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | Bachelor's Degree | $78,410 | +$38,270 | clears the bar | $26,442 | 0.7 yrs |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | Master's Degree | $96,768 | +$56,628 | clears the bar | $65,926 | 1.2 yrs |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's Degree | $93,310 | +$53,170 | clears the bar | $43,885 | 0.8 yrs |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | Bachelor's Degree | $76,552 | +$36,412 | clears the bar | $23,000 | 0.6 yrs |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | Master's Degree | $127,356 | +$87,216 | clears the bar | $51,250 | 0.6 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $66,970 | +$26,830 | clears the bar | $23,250 | 0.9 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $127,269 | +$87,129 | clears the bar | $89,433 | 1 yr |
| Public Health | Bachelor's Degree | $70,831 | +$30,691 | clears the bar | $23,250 | 0.8 yrs |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's Degree | $134,332 | +$94,192 | clears the bar | $22,625 | 0.2 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 61 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 14% of students receive Pell grants · 76% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.