American University
DC · Private · 100% graduation rate
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 | C | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $24K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Economics | $24K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Sociology | $24K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $24K | $52K | $72K | C | BUY |
| Biology | $24K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $24K | $52K | $69K | C | CAUTION |
| Journalism | $24K | $52K | $69K | C | CAUTION |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24K | $52K | $69K | C | CAUTION |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $24K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Psychology | $24K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| History | $25K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $24K | $50K | $67K | C | CAUTION |
| Area Studies | $24K | $45K | $60K | D | CAUTION |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
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.
Related Schools & Majors
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).