
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA


American University demonstrates strong student success as reflected in its graduation statistics. The overall graduation rate stands at 78%, placing the university in the top 15% nationally. This high performance is consistent across gender lines, with graduation rates of 75% for men and 81% for women, both also ranking in the top 15%. Notably, the four-year graduation rate reaches 72%, a figure that is considered very high and positions the institution among the top 10% of universities in this metric.
The six-year graduation rate confirms the institution's effectiveness in supporting its students through to degree completion, remaining at 78%, which is within the top 15%. Student retention also remains robust at 86%, ranking in the top 25%, suggesting that students continue their studies beyond their first year and are likely to graduate. These figures collectively indicate that American University maintains a strong commitment to student progress and completion.
Graduates of American University find that their earning potential varies significantly depending on their chosen field of study. Among the highest earners are those with degrees in Computer Science, who report median annual earnings of $73,918. Finance and Financial Management Services also offer strong financial prospects, with graduates earning around $64,161 on average.
Business Administration, Management and Operations is another degree with solid income potential, boasting median earnings of $50,809. Other fields related to communication, such as Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, yield an average income of $45,098, while graduates in Political Science and Government earn roughly $45,217.
Students pursuing Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other can expect earnings close to $44,939, and those in Non-Professional General Legal Studies report median salaries near $44,628. Degrees in Design and Applied Arts also show respectable earnings, averaging $43,551.
In the broader liberal arts and social sciences, Economics graduates earn approximately $48,661, while those in Communication and Media Studies take home close to $42,806. International Relations and National Security Studies provide earnings near $41,948, and Journalism graduates earn around $40,534 annually.
Fields such as Psychology, General and Sociology tend to offer more modest returns, with median earnings of $35,226 and $34,261 respectively, and Public Health graduates earn around $36,775. Biology, General majors earn $33,080, whereas those in Criminal Justice and Corrections make about $39,002. Visual and performing arts disciplines like Film/Video and Photographic Arts and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft report lower median incomes, with $28,838 and $25,854 respectively.
Career Centers:
Full time employees: Data not available
Part time employees: Data not available
Career Counselling:
Individual: All undergraduates
Group: Data not available
Career Center services:
Other information:
Job bank on campus
YesJob fairs on campus
YesOn campus employer recruitment
All undergraduatesBACHELOR’S Degree
Natural Resources and Conservation
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Legal Professions and Studies
English Language and Literature/Letters
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Health Professions and Related Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
History
MASTER’S Degree
Natural Resources and Conservation
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Education
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Legal Professions and Studies
English Language and Literature/Letters
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Health Professions and Related Programs
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
History
DOCTOR’S Degree
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Education
Legal Professions and Studies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Psychology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Sciences
History