American Public University System
- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,409 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,597 B
- 44% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 40,074
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 34.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $34.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $34.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,299,473.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Every $1 invested returns $34.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About American Public University System
American Public University System is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private for-profit University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 40,074
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Humanities
Why students choose American Public University System
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,597 a year after grants and scholarships — 44% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,409 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $21,743 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 40,000 students, American Public University System is designed for those seeking flexibility and convenience in their education. It attracts working adults and non-traditional students who are looking to advance their careers or start fresh in fields like Business and Marketing, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, and Computer Science. The focus here is on practical skills that can be applied directly in the job market.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $44,409 after ten years, which is a solid figure in the context of today’s job market. This earning potential, coupled with a net price of just $9,597 after financial aid, makes it a viable option for many. While the graduation rate stands at 55%, it reflects the challenges many adult learners face, yet there’s a clear path for those who persist and work hard to climb the career ladder.
When it comes to finances, the average debt load of $21,743 is manageable for many graduates, especially given the support systems in place for students. The 25% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates a commitment to affordability for those who need it most. This environment tends to resonate with self-motivated individuals who are balancing multiple responsibilities while pursuing their educational goals.
Can I Get In?
How selective American Public University System is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into American Public University System? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charles Town, West Virginia, American Public University System enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Retention Rate
- 97%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 18%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,404
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 24:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 53%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend American Public University System? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at American Public University System is $8,400, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,597. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,335 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,743 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,400
- Out-of-State
- $8,400
- Avg Net Price
- $9,597
- Median Debt
- $21,743
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 12%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,335
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,766
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,951
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is American Public University System Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of American Public University System report median earnings of $44,409, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,917
- 8 Years
- $33,695
- 10 Years
- $44,409
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (159)
- 27%
- 100% (159)
- 27%
- 100% (159)
- 27%
- 100% (159)
- 27%
How American Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is American Public University System Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, American Public University System delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,597/year ($38,388 total). Graduates earn $44,409 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,337,861 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,299,473 (34.9× your investment). The median debt is $21,743, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $38,388
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,337,861
- Net Return
- $1,299,473
- ROI Multiple
- 34.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,597
- Median Debt
- $21,743
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields American Public University System awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 32%
- Health Professions 12%
- Criminal Justice 11%
- Humanities 11%
- Computer Science & IT 9%
- Psychology 3%
- Legal Studies 1%
- Social Sciences 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for American Public University System's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into American Public University System? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charles Town, West Virginia, American Public University System enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend American Public University System? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at American Public University System is $8,400, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,597. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,335 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,743 in federal student loans.
Is American Public University System Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of American Public University System report median earnings of $44,409, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to American Public University System.
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