Charles Town, WV · Private University
Is American Public University System Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$44,409
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,400
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,400
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$33,600
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
5.29x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,743
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$9,104
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
American Public University System graduates earn $591 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at American Public University System ranked by graduate earnings
303 graduates
34 graduates
158 graduates
25 graduates
16 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at American Public University System
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At American Public University System, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management: $79,678) and the lowest (Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services: $31,914) is $47,764/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementBest ROI | $79,678 | 9.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $73,582 | 8.8x |
| International/Global Studies | $73,010 | 8.7x |
| Fire Protection | $72,886 | 8.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $72,382 | 8.6x |
| Homeland Security | $67,391 | 8.0x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $66,564 | 7.9x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations(1yr data) | $65,639 | 7.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,308 | 7.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,275 | 7.7x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $63,766 | 7.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $62,059 | 7.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $61,351 | 7.3x |
| Public Health | $60,675 | 7.2x |
| Marketing | $56,049 | 6.7x |
| Military Science and Operational Studies(1yr data) | $55,351 | 6.6x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $54,697 | 6.5x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $54,563 | 6.5x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $54,110 | 6.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,811 | 5.9x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $49,055 | 5.8x |
| History | $48,564 | 5.8x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $47,355 | 5.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,839 | 5.6x |
| Psychology, General | $44,912 | 5.3x |
| Sociology | $42,708 | 5.1x |
| Security Science and Technology | $42,158 | 5.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,466 | 4.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesLowest | $31,914 | 3.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
American Public University System stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $44,409 10 years after starting, $591 below the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.