American University
Dc · Private · 100% graduation rate
American University is a private university in Dc with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Science (grade A), with median debt of $20K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $20K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $24K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $24K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Public Health | $26K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Legal Professions and Studies | $24K | $55K | $77K | B | BUY |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $24K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $24K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $24K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $24K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Sociology | $24K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $24K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $24K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| History | $25K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $24K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $24K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Journalism | $24K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $24K | $50K | $67K | B | BUY |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Area Studies | $24K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Dc
How American University Compares
American University graduates carry a median debt of $24K across tracked majors, which is $3K less than the private universities average of $27K. Year-1 earnings average $56K, about $437 below peers of the same type. Within Dc, the per-major debt average is $23K, so this school sits $507 above the state median. Its composite ROI score of 71 is 0 points above the private universities baseline (71). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at American University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $20K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
American University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at American University. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $20K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).