American University— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$77,370
in 2021+28% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 28% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 4% since 2010
- •Graduation rate improved by 6 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 70% | $12,500 |
| 1999 | — | — | 67% | $12,816 |
| 2000 | — | — | 69% | $12,322 |
| 2001 | — | — | 70% | $11,625 |
| 2002 | — | — | 71% | $11,625 |
| 2003 | — | — | 66% | $11,625 |
| 2004 | — | — | 71% | $11,032 |
| 2005 | — | — | 73% | $11,625 |
| 2006 | — | — | 71% | $12,375 |
| 2007 | — | — | 71% | $12,875 |
| 2008 | $60,600 | — | 73% | $13,165 |
| 2009 | — | — | 76% | $13,625 |
| 2010 | $58,700 | $40,345 | 77% | $14,625 |
| 2011 | — | $31,112 | 79% | $16,750 |
| 2012 | $55,900 | $33,773 | 77% | $17,500 |
| 2013 | $55,900 | $31,530 | 77% | $18,750 |
| 2014 | $59,200 | $33,437 | 80% | $19,500 |
| 2015 | $61,000 | $36,074 | 82% | $20,500 |
| 2016 | — | $36,480 | 81% | $20,500 |
| 2017 | — | $35,325 | 81% | $19,926 |
| 2018 | — | $36,567 | 79% | $20,500 |
| 2019 | — | $34,617 | 80% | $20,862 |
| 2020 | — | $43,451 | 79% | $20,190 |
| 2021 | $77,370 | $40,088 | 79% | $19,500 |
| 2022 | — | $28,037 | 79% | — |
| 2023 | — | $43,412 | 79% | — |
| 2024 | — | $41,945 | 78% | — |
| 2025 | — | $41,943 | 75% | — |