Is American University Worth the Debt?
Graduates of American University earn a median of $76,919 within 5 years, against a median debt of $23,968. The graduation rate is 10000%.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg Median Debt | $23,968 |
| Avg Median Earnings (1yr) | $56,100 |
| Avg Median Earnings (5yr) | $76,919 |
| Graduation Rate | 10000% |
| School Type | private |
| Majors Available | 20 |
Top Majors by ROI
| Major | ROI Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 96/100 | A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 79/100 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 79/100 | B |
| Public Health | 78/100 | B |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 75/100 | B |
How does American University compare?
Average debt at American University is $23,968, which is $2,327 below the national average of $26,295 for federal aid recipients. First-year earnings of $56,100 sit around the national average of $57,775.
That works out to a debt-to-income ratio of 0.43x — meaning a graduate would need 0.4 years of full pre-tax first-year salary to clear the debt. Below 0.5x is excellent and indicates strong ROI. Picking the right major matters more than picking the school: at American University, the Computer Science program scores Grade A on ROI (STRONG BUY).
Graduates of American University earn a median of $76,919 within 5 years, against a median debt of $23,968. The graduation rate is 10000%.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.