American Public University System
Tuition, net price, admissions, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Charles Town, West Virginia
Net price / year
$9,597
after grants & scholarships
lower than 100% of for-profit 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
Open admission
accepts most applicants
Graduation rate
55%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 61% of for-profit 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$70,107
4 years after graduating
higher than 69% of for-profit 4-year colleges
American Public University System at a glance
- What is the tuition at American Public University System?
- Undergraduate tuition and fees are $8,400 for the 2024-25 academic year.
- What is the cost of attendance at American Public University System?
- The average cost of attendance is $18,768 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at American Public University System?
- The average net price is $9,597 a year after grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at American Public University System?
- This school has open admission: most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted.
- What is the graduation rate at American Public University System?
- 55% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of American Public University System earn?
- The median graduate earns $70,107 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- At $9,597 a year, the average net price is lower than 100% of for-profit 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 1.1 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- This school has open admission, so most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted.
- About 78% of undergraduates are 25 or older.
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services is the largest field of study here, at 32% of the degrees and certificates awarded.
Tuition and cost of attendance at American Public University System
Average net price
$9,597 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the American Public University System net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$38,388
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $9,335
- $30–48k $9,766
- $48–75k $8,951
- $75–110k $15,559
- $110k+ —
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $18,768
- Tuition & fees$8,400
- Books & supplies$0
- Room & board$9,120
- Other expenses$2,864
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $8,400
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $8,400
American Public University System acceptance rate and admissions
Open admission
The school admits most applicants who meet basic requirements.
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from American Public University System
Graduation rate
55%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
96%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$231
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
1.1 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 3.9%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 57%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $20,126 · median $44,409 · 75th percentile $73,944
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 14,321 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 4%
- Making progress 5%
- Not making progress 12%
- Delinquent 3%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 59%
- Deferment 13%
- Discharged 4%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
14,321 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at American Public University System ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Science and Operational Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 39 | $103,706 | 1 yr$55,3514 yrs$103,706 | U.S. median $101,117 U.S. middle half $73.2K–$134.1K · Above the U.S. median | $18,188 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 71 | $94,768 | 1 yr$85,1614 yrs$94,7685 yrs$82,848 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Above the U.S. median | $16,093 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample | $89,871 | 1 yr$48,0944 yrs$89,871 | U.S. median $82,073 U.S. middle half $66.8K–$98.6K · Above the U.S. median | $26,612 |
| Fire Protection Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $87,428 | 1 yr$73,3024 yrs$87,4285 yrs$81,009 | U.S. median $86,436 U.S. middle half $62.7K–$114.2K · Above the U.S. median | $23,688 |
| International/Globalization Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 210 | $86,599 | 1 yr$64,1334 yrs$86,5995 yrs$83,481 | U.S. median $59,972 U.S. middle half $40.8K–$82.9K · Above the U.S. median | $22,282 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 351 | $86,275 | 1 yr$66,5884 yrs$86,2755 yrs$94,292 | U.S. median $85,063 U.S. middle half $59.3K–$117.6K · Above the U.S. median | $26,841 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 57 | $81,056 | 1 yr$56,7634 yrs$81,0565 yrs$87,190 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median | $21,728 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 151 | $80,417 | 1 yr$68,2104 yrs$80,4175 yrs$73,927 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Below the U.S. median | $25,852 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $79,734 | 1 yr$62,0594 yrs$79,734 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Fire Protection Associate · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $77,650 | 4 yrs$77,6505 yrs$61,771 | U.S. median $73,589 U.S. middle half $54.5K–$96.8K · Above the U.S. median | — |
Show all 44 programs
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 319 | $77,122 | 1 yr$62,3404 yrs$77,1225 yrs$75,928 | U.S. median $70,193 U.S. middle half $51.2K–$95.4K · Above the U.S. median | $24,942 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 1,077 | $75,722 | 1 yr$61,6874 yrs$75,7225 yrs$74,073 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $22,988 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $73,845 | 1 yr$54,6974 yrs$73,845 | U.S. median $91,532 U.S. middle half $63.4K–$127.3K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Bachelor's · Graduates: 370 | $69,546 | 1 yr$57,4094 yrs$69,5465 yrs$69,844 | U.S. median $55,378 U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median | $20,888 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $65,830 | 1 yr$54,5634 yrs$65,830 | U.S. median $61,027 U.S. middle half $38.5K–$88.5K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $65,510 | 1 yr$48,1424 yrs$65,5105 yrs$64,125 | U.S. median $66,596 U.S. middle half $46K–$87.8K · Below the U.S. median | $14,947 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Associate · Graduates: 98 | $65,318 | 1 yr$47,5184 yrs$65,3185 yrs$57,549 | U.S. median $48,733 U.S. middle half $31.7K–$67.6K · Above the U.S. median | $22,707 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $64,098 | — | U.S. median $54,455 U.S. middle half $34.9K–$78K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Associate · Graduates: 391 | $63,895 | 1 yr$52,1084 yrs$63,8955 yrs$64,517 | U.S. median $44,125 U.S. middle half $28.9K–$61.6K · Above the U.S. median | $9,500 |
| Data Processing Associate · Graduates: 52 | $63,673 | 1 yr$44,8014 yrs$63,6735 yrs$60,060 | U.S. median $51,859 U.S. middle half $33.4K–$70.2K · Above the U.S. median | $18,018 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 42 | $63,469 | 1 yr$53,5784 yrs$63,4695 yrs$62,057 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Below the U.S. median | $31,530 |
| Homeland Security Associate · Graduates: 30 | $63,213 | — | U.S. median $58,829 U.S. middle half $44.2K–$79.4K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 77 | $62,358 | 1 yr$50,6884 yrs$62,3585 yrs$60,064 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Below the U.S. median | $36,282 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 70 | $61,532 | 1 yr$46,1094 yrs$61,5325 yrs$60,106 | U.S. median $61,959 U.S. middle half $42.7K–$82.6K · Below the U.S. median | $30,518 |
| Associate · Graduates: 108 | $61,313 | 1 yr$44,0274 yrs$61,3135 yrs$60,839 | U.S. median $49,927 U.S. middle half $33.1K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $21,625 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 285 | $60,134 | 1 yr$51,3814 yrs$60,1345 yrs$55,115 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $25,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 74 | $59,793 | 1 yr$35,1984 yrs$59,7935 yrs$53,057 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $30,321 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 102 | $59,240 | 1 yr$47,1004 yrs$59,2405 yrs$63,490 | U.S. median $58,808 U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $30,640 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 234 | $57,618 | 1 yr$50,2604 yrs$57,6185 yrs$67,242 | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Above the U.S. median | $24,306 |
| Security Science and Technology Bachelor's · Graduates: 75 | $57,237 | 1 yr$49,6224 yrs$57,2375 yrs$52,779 | U.S. median $57,805 U.S. middle half $41.5K–$76.5K · Below the U.S. median | $32,062 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Associate · Graduates: 58 | $55,726 | 1 yr$46,9784 yrs$55,7265 yrs$46,482 | U.S. median $46,706 U.S. middle half $31.5K–$63.7K · Above the U.S. median | $24,003 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 223 | $54,707 | 1 yr$39,6554 yrs$54,7075 yrs$50,168 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $27,550 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 68 | $54,432 | 1 yr$47,6334 yrs$54,4325 yrs$55,096 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $21,693 |
| Real Estate Associate · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $53,534 | 1 yr$43,2514 yrs$53,534 | U.S. median $40,327 U.S. middle half $17.7K–$60.4K · Above the U.S. median | $28,500 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Associate · Graduates: 124 | $51,579 | 1 yr$41,3504 yrs$51,5795 yrs$53,537 | U.S. median $48,027 U.S. middle half $34K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $7,940 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $48,336 | — | U.S. median $41,390 U.S. middle half $20.5K–$65.2K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Accounting and Related Services Associate · Graduates: 47 | $47,537 | 1 yr$42,5094 yrs$47,5375 yrs$51,544 | U.S. median $47,660 U.S. middle half $32.4K–$63.7K · Below the U.S. median | $17,086 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 159 | $47,294 | 1 yr$34,3474 yrs$47,2945 yrs$42,229 | U.S. median $48,568 U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Below the U.S. median | $35,082 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 49 | $46,000 | 1 yr$37,1744 yrs$46,0005 yrs$55,116 | U.S. median $56,726 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Below the U.S. median | $31,334 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 64 | $43,415 | 1 yr$37,6024 yrs$43,4155 yrs$40,154 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median | $27,989 |
| Communication and Media Studies Associate · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $42,077 | — | U.S. median $43,243 U.S. middle half $26.7K–$60.6K · Below the U.S. median | $13,011 |
| Public Health Associate · Graduates: 41 | $39,409 | 1 yr$36,7944 yrs$39,4095 yrs$44,031 | U.S. median $43,759 U.S. middle half $30.5K–$59.5K · Below the U.S. median | $23,990 |
| Associate · Graduates: 39 | $39,259 | 1 yr$40,0494 yrs$39,2595 yrs$43,421 | U.S. median $44,669 U.S. middle half $29.7K–$60.1K · Below the U.S. median | $19,250 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Associate · Graduates: 95 | $38,583 | 1 yr$16,5584 yrs$38,5835 yrs$27,395 | U.S. median $34,184 U.S. middle half $22.6K–$45.1K · Above the U.S. median | $20,756 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 44.2%
- Black or African American 17.8%
- Hispanic or Latino 20%
- Asian 3%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.5%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 1%
- Two or more races 4.8%
- U.S. nonresident 1.2%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 7.4%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 64.5%
- Women 35.5%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
78%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 40,074
- Part-time students
- 91%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 25%
- Receive federal loans
- 12%
- Students per faculty member
- 25 : 1
- Setting
- Town
Similar colleges
Schools of a similar type, price, size and outcomes.
Where it ranks
This college appears in the top 50 of these TuitionScope rankings.
Guides worth reading
Plain-language explainers that help you read the numbers on this page.
More in West Virginia
In West Virginia
National rankings
Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at American Public University System?
For the 2024-25 academic year, American Public University System reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $8,400. This is the published price before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at American Public University System?
The average cost of attendance at American Public University System is $18,768 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $9,597 a year. That is lower than 100% of for-profit 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at American Public University System get?
25% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 12% receive federal loans.
What is the acceptance rate at American Public University System?
American Public University System has open admission: it accepts most applicants who meet basic requirements.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at American Public University System?
55% of first-time, full-time students at American Public University System finish within 150% of normal time. 96% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do American Public University System graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $70,107 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $57,877.
Is American Public University System worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For American Public University System, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 1.1 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $21,743, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 55% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
How much debt do American Public University System graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed have a median federal-loan debt of $21,743, or about $231 a month on a 10-year plan.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things