American University

What are the graduation rates for students at American University?

American University's reported six-year graduation rate is 75% for the applicable cohort of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduates. Its four-year rate is 68%. These measures track different points in the same kind of undergraduate journey; they should not be interpreted as graduation rates for transfer students or for every graduate program.

The reported first-year retention rate is 88%, meaning most students in the measured group returned for a second year. Graduation and retention rates describe past cohorts, not an individual student's expected outcome. A prospective student comparing programs should also examine the required course sequence, availability of advising, and whether a planned transfer or study-abroad term could change their timetable.

What is the earning potential for graduates at American University?

Federal College Scorecard field-of-study figures provide a limited view of earnings roughly one year after completion for graduates whose earnings can be matched in federal records. They are medians for the reported program and population, not starting-salary offers or forecasts for everyone who earns the degree.

Among reported American University bachelor's fields, the one-year figure is $73,918 for computer science, $64,161 for finance, and $50,809 for business administration. Examples in other fields include $45,217 for political science, $41,948 for international relations, and $35,226 for psychology. Differences may reflect occupations, further study, local labor markets, and which graduates have reportable earnings - not simply the value of one major relative to another.

These figures omit important parts of a career trajectory. A graduate entering a master's program, public-service fellowship, or unpaid training period may have a different first-year financial picture from someone beginning full-time work. Students weighing the cost of a degree should consider longer-term outcomes and likely borrowing alongside one-year earnings.