Career outcomes for American University graduates
Per-major median earnings and 10-year projection bands. Numbers come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (most recent release); trajectory bands come from the life-path model run server-side with a synthetic profile.
School-wide 10-year median earnings
$85,458
Median earnings of federally-aided graduates 10 years after first enrollment, across all majors at American University.
Top majors by graduates
| Major | Graduates / yr | Median earnings 4 years out | Work in District of Columbia 1 year out | Graduate degree or certificate 5 years out | Trajectory | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | 391 | $73,865 | 32% | 20% | Run mine |
Went on to a research doctorate
2.6per 100 bachelor's graduatesU.S. average: 2.0
From 2016 to 2025, 427 American University graduates earned a research doctorate, most often in social sciences, humanities and arts, and biological and biomedical sciences.
Research doctorates (PhD, EdD and similar) only: medical, law and business degrees aren't counted. The rate divides those doctorates by the bachelor's degrees American University awarded from 2008 to 2017, allowing for the typical eight-year gap; fields with longer paths, like the humanities, read low. Source: NCSES Survey of Earned Doctorates and IPEDS completions.
Peer schools at this earnings band
Adelphi University, NY
8 majors with data·$80,969
Amherst College, MA
6 majors with data·$95,161
Arnot Ogden Medical Center, NY
0 majors with data·$80,698
See your own 10-year projection
The rows above use a synthetic profile (median household income, in-state residency). The life-path tool runs the same model on your actual income, family size, residency, and intended major.
Open the life-path toolShare
Earnings and graduate counts from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (most recent release). Last updated October 19, 2026. Methodology.