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American Public University System

111 West Congress Street, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA

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American Public University System award
American Public University System award
US ranking
position: 1015
Tuition & fees per year: $8,400
Acceptance rate: N/A
Median alumni salary: $57,877
Avg. SAT and ACT: N/A
Entrance difficulty: Easy

What does American Public University System offer in terms of athletics?

American Public University System provides a distinctive approach to athletics, primarily focusing on esports rather than traditional sports programs. The institution supports competitive gaming as an emerging area, reflecting broader trends in collegiate athletics. Students interested in esports can engage in organized competitions and represent the school in various gaming tournaments.

Unlike many universities that maintain extensive varsity sports teams, American Public University System does not operate traditional athletics programs such as football, basketball, or baseball. This focus allows the school to dedicate resources and attention to digital sports, appealing especially to students interested in technology, gaming, and related fields.

The emphasis on esports offers an opportunity for students to develop skills in teamwork, strategy, and digital communication within a competitive yet inclusive environment. This modern approach aligns with the institution's broader mission to provide flexible and innovative educational experiences to a diverse student population.

What student groups and Associations are available at American Public University System?

Data regarding specific student groups and associations at American Public University System is not available at this time. The most current enrollment figures indicate a total of 3,294 students, with 1,804 men and 1,490 women, but information on student participation in social or extracurricular organizations has not been provided.

Who studies at American Public University System?

The American Public University System serves a notably large and diverse student body, with a particularly high portion of transfer students. The institution enrolls approximately 6,910 students in total, with transfer students making up a significant segment of 5,030, placing the university in the top 5% nationally for transfer enrollment. Freshman enrollment stands at 1,880, which is also relatively high, falling within the top 30% percentile.

The university attracts learners across a broad age spectrum. Undergraduate students range from those under 18 to individuals over 65 years old, with a strong presence of adult learners in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Specifically, the largest groups within the undergraduate category are students aged 25-29 (11,069) and 30-34 (8,929). Graduate students similarly span a wide age range, but most fall between 25 and 49 years old, indicating that the university caters extensively to mature and continuing education students.

In terms of ethnic diversity, the student population is highly varied. The number of White students is the largest at 17,981, followed by Hispanic students numbering 7,408 and African American students at 6,425. These groups represent some of the highest concentrations nationally, placing the university in the top 5% for these demographics. Other represented racial groups include Native American (211), Asian (1,137), Pacific Islander (389), and multiracial students (1,863), with the levels of representation for several groups also ranked very high or high by national percentiles.

This demographic and age data underscores the university's role as an institution that supports a wide variety of learners, particularly those who are pursuing higher education at later stages of life or through transfer pathways. Such diversity, both in terms of age and ethnicity, may appeal to prospective students seeking a heterogeneous campus environment with a substantial adult learner community.

How does student life look like at American Public University System?

Student life at American Public University System is notably different from many traditional universities. The institution does not offer the typical array of campus social activities or facilities, as it lacks infrastructure such as campus newspapers, drama groups, radio stations, music ensembles, and television outlets. There are also no dedicated legal services, health clinics, psychological counseling centers, veterans affairs offices, or women's centers available on campus.

The university's enrollment is very high, with a total student population exceeding 50,000, indicating a large and diverse student body primarily engaged in distance or online learning environments. Despite this, the number of full-time degree-seeking students is relatively low, at 97, and the student-faculty ratio is comparatively high at 25 to 1, suggesting larger class sizes or less individualized faculty interaction typical of an extensive online program.

Additionally, the workforce at American Public University System includes a significant number of part-time staff, with 1,340 part-time employees and 884 full-time employees, reflecting the scale of operations needed to accommodate its vast enrollment.

Prospective students should consider that the university's student experience centers predominantly around remote academic engagement rather than traditional on-campus social or extracurricular activities.

What libraries are available to students at American Public University System?

Students at American Public University System primarily access the APUS Online Library, which serves as the main library resource. The institution offers a physical library facility alongside digital access, ensuring multiple modes of engagement with research materials. The university maintains a trained library staff and has established hours to support student needs.

The library collection includes approximately 6,828 books, a number that places it in the lower 40th percentile compared to peer institutions. Digital resources are stronger, with around 159,577 digital subscriptions ranking in the top half among similar libraries. The number of eBooks available totals 528,777, positioning it slightly below the median range, while the library hosts 245 databases, also near the midpoint in availability.

While the system does not offer multiple separate libraries, it provides access to shared collections, potentially expanding resource options beyond its own holdings. These features indicate an emphasis on digital and online research materials, consistent with the university's online-oriented educational model.

American Public University System Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

50187

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

97

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

884 full time, 1340 part time

Veterans affair office

No

American Public University System Library Services and Resources

Main library name

APUS Online Library

Number of libraries on campus

1

Reservable study rooms in library

No

24h access

No

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

American Public University System Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

American Public University System Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

American Public University System Location & Map