American Public University System is a private for-profit 4-year college in Charles Town, West Virginia with 40,074 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $11,116 a year after grants and graduates 60% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
American Public University System acceptance rate and admissions
American Public University System has open admission: it admits students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs, such as nursing or other health fields, can have their own entry requirements.
American Public University System tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $8,400 |
|---|---|
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $19,691 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $11,116 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $11,116 a year after grants and scholarships, $8,575 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run American Public University System's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
American Public University System graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 60% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $41,320 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $18,277 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 44% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
American Public University System majors and what graduates earn
American Public University System awarded bachelor's degrees in 41 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($94,768).
All 41 majors at American Public University System
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at American Public University System
30 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 30 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | Master's | 1,361 | $75,973 | $31,561 |
| Homeland security | Master's | 279 | $82,381 | $37,617 |
| IT and network administration | Master's | 223 | $99,014 | $31,979 |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | Master's | 182 | $96,106 | $26,052 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Master's | 180 | $61,901 | $29,926 |
| History | Master's | 170 | $61,591 | $40,212 |
| Criminal justice | Master's | 162 | $76,181 | $32,536 |
| Psychology | Master's | 133 | $53,575 | $39,295 |
| International/Globalization Studies | Master's | 118 | $80,428 | $35,980 |
| Health administration | Master's | 101 | $57,169 | $40,465 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | Master's | 95 | $63,973 | $30,849 |
| Public administration | Master's | 82 | $77,717 | $36,586 |
| Human resources | Master's | 80 | n/a | $23,216 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | Master's | 74 | $82,314 | $33,806 |
| Public health | Master's | 69 | $59,842 | $32,667 |
| Business analytics and operations research | Master's | 46 | $86,686 | n/a |
| Legal studies | Master's | 44 | $71,165 | $40,192 |
| Political science | Master's | 35 | $67,643 | $37,456 |
| Education | Master's | 33 | $64,447 | $31,626 |
| Sociology | Master's | 29 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Master's | 28 | $107,245 | n/a |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | Master's | 26 | n/a | n/a |
| Accounting | Master's | 25 | $81,521 | $38,234 |
| Education leadership | Master's | 21 | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | Master's | 21 | n/a | n/a |
| Public Policy Analysis | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 11 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | Doctoral | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| International/Globalization Studies | Doctoral | 1 | n/a | n/a |
Trade and career programs at American Public University System
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | Certificate | 31 | $56,032 | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 30 | n/a | $39,259 | $21,144 |
| Culinary arts | Associate degree | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 40,074 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 36% women, 65% men
- 25 students for every faculty member
- Setting: town near a city
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into American Public University System?
No. American Public University System has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does American Public University System cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $8,400. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $11,116 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at American Public University System?
60% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do American Public University System graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $41,320 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in West Virginia · American Public University System on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.