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Affordable
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American Public University System

Salary Score

Bachelor's

B+

Master's

Doctoral

N/A

Want an online degree that's:

Affordable
Popular
Highly Rated
Military-friendly

We've got them. Let's get started.

Written by OnlineU Writers • Updated 1/19/2023

American Public University System (APUS) is a public, for-profit institution in Charles Town, WV. It offers over 200 online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs. Over 38,500 undergraduate students are enrolled in APUS globally, with 100% of students enrolled online. Undergraduate distance learners enroll in APUS online programs — such as business, healthcare administration, English, criminal justice, nursing, human resources, psychology, and computer science — for career preparation, advancement, or preparation for graduate programs. Online classes start monthly and last between eight and sixteen weeks, allowing scheduling flexibility.

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Rankings by Salary Score and Affordability

Salary Score for Online Degrees at American Public University System

Certificate Degrees

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $52,098

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $53,474

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $27,618

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported


Business Administration, Management and Operations	Not Reported	$52,098	A-
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	Not Reported	$53,474	B+
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	Not Reported	$27,618	N/A

Associate Degrees

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $47,433

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $46,950

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Business/Commerce, General

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $48,117

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Accounting and Related Services

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $46,369

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $40,991

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Legal Support Services

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $36,537

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Public Health

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $28,199

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported


Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	Not Reported	$47,433	A+
Business Administration, Management and Operations	Not Reported	$46,950	A+
Business/Commerce, General	Not Reported	$48,117	A+
Accounting and Related Services	Not Reported	$46,369	A+
Criminal Justice and Corrections	Not Reported	$40,991	A-
Legal Support Services	Not Reported	$36,537	A-
Public Health	Not Reported	$28,199	N/A

Bachelor's Degrees

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $67,702

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Sociology

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $41,134

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Health and Physical Education/Fitness

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $46,804

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Political Science and Government

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $54,649

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

History

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $42,911

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $52,093

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $49,646

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Philosophy

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $45,528

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Marketing

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $51,439

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $58,123

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Hospitality Administration/Management

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $37,804

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $78,264

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $64,277

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Psychology, General

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $35,578

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

International/Global Studies

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $62,810

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $66,586

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

English Language and Literature, General

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $33,171

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Security Science and Technology

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $45,761

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $43,301

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Public Health

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $41,869

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $45,288

Salary Score: B-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $29,792

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Homeland Security

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $56,924

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Accounting and Related Services

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $44,917

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

International Relations and National Security Studies

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $50,382

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Fire Protection

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $64,850

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported


Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	Not Reported	$67,702	A+
Sociology	Not Reported	$41,134	A+
Health and Physical Education/Fitness	Not Reported	$46,804	A+
Political Science and Government	Not Reported	$54,649	A+
History	Not Reported	$42,911	A+
Criminal Justice and Corrections	Not Reported	$52,093	A+
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations	Not Reported	$49,646	A+
Philosophy	Not Reported	$45,528	A
Marketing	Not Reported	$51,439	A
Business Administration, Management and Operations	Not Reported	$58,123	A
Hospitality Administration/Management	Not Reported	$37,804	A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	Not Reported	$78,264	A-
Computer and Information Sciences, General	Not Reported	$64,277	A-
Psychology, General	Not Reported	$35,578	A-
International/Global Studies	Not Reported	$62,810	A-
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	Not Reported	$66,586	B+
English Language and Literature, General	Not Reported	$33,171	B+
Security Science and Technology	Not Reported	$45,761	B+
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)	Not Reported	$43,301	B+
Public Health	Not Reported	$41,869	B+
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	Not Reported	$45,288	B-
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	Not Reported	$29,792	N/A
Homeland Security	Not Reported	$56,924	N/A
Accounting and Related Services	Not Reported	$44,917	N/A
International Relations and National Security Studies	Not Reported	$50,382	N/A
Fire Protection	Not Reported	$64,850	N/A

Master's Degrees

Health and Physical Education/Fitness

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $58,354

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Public Health

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $73,635

Salary Score: A+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

History

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $51,895

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $56,416

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $70,090

Salary Score: A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Homeland Security

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $75,474

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

International/Global Studies

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $79,853

Salary Score: A-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

International Relations and National Security Studies

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $67,699

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Public Administration

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $64,014

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Political Science and Government

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $50,260

Salary Score: B+

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $70,713

Salary Score: B

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $88,507

Salary Score: B-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Psychology, General

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $45,457

Salary Score: B-

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Education, General

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $47,349

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported

Accounting and Related Services

Median Debt: Not Reported

Median Salary: $58,299

Salary Score: N/A

Change from Previous Year: Not Reported


Health and Physical Education/Fitness	Not Reported	$58,354	A+
Public Health	Not Reported	$73,635	A+
History	Not Reported	$51,895	A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	Not Reported	$56,416	A
Criminal Justice and Corrections	Not Reported	$70,090	A
Homeland Security	Not Reported	$75,474	A-
International/Global Studies	Not Reported	$79,853	A-
International Relations and National Security Studies	Not Reported	$67,699	B+
Public Administration	Not Reported	$64,014	B+
Political Science and Government	Not Reported	$50,260	B+
Business Administration, Management and Operations	Not Reported	$70,713	B
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	Not Reported	$88,507	B-
Psychology, General	Not Reported	$45,457	B-
Education, General	Not Reported	$47,349	N/A
Accounting and Related Services	Not Reported	$58,299	N/A

FAQs About American Public University System

Is American Public University Legitimate?

Yes, APUS and its online degrees are legitimate. Employers generally respect and accept online degrees as long as accredited institutions confer them. Accreditation is important because it signifies that a school consistently meets high academic standards in delivering quality education.

All OnlineU schools are institutionally accredited.

APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Some of APU's programs also receive additional programmatic accreditation, such as nursing and public health.

What Is American Public University Known For?

APUS is known for offering programs that are accessible to working adults, military members on active duty, and veterans.

Since 1991, APUS has become a leader and innovator in providing quality online education, initially targeting active-duty military members. Since then, it's been one of the largest online education providers, with over 200 online programs accessible to students worldwide regardless of military status. APUS embraced the new millennium starting in 1999 when it began offering all its undergraduate programs online, followed by all graduate programs the following year.

Which Degrees at APU Provide the Highest Earnings for Graduates?

Online computer information technology administration and management bachelor's degrees may result in the highest earnings, with a $69,785 annual median salary. Additionally, online fire protection, international global studies, computer and information science, and homeland security bachelor's degrees may result in annual median salaries of $56,900 and higher.

What Is the Difference Between APU and AMU?

The difference between APU and AMU is the student population served. AMU (American Military University) was founded in 1991 as a military-friendly institution with the goal of providing higher education that's more accessible to mobile military personnel. In 2002, AMU reorganized and became part of APU (American Public University) to provide the same flexible education to a broader range of students.

How Difficult Is It To Get Into APU?

It is not difficult to get into APU due to its open admissions policy. In other words, APU accepts 100% of its applicants. While APU doesn't require submitting entrance exam scores, like the SAT and ACT, it is encouraged.

What Are the Admission Requirements for APU?

APU admission requirements are minimal compared to many other colleges and universities. Applying requires completing a free online application, submitting proof of high school completion or equivalent, and providing a color copy of a valid state-issued ID or driver's license. Students transferring credits must complete a free online transfer credit application and submit college or military transcripts, as applicable.

Some individual degree programs have additional requirements, such as accounting, nursing, and electrical engineering. An admissions advisor can help determine other documentation that may be required.