American University — ROI, Cost & Payback
American University charges a net price of $41,943/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $167,772. Graduates earn a median $77,370 ten years after entry, $29,010/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.8 years — a 20-year net return of $412,428, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $41,943/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $167,772 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $77,370 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $29,010/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,750 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $412,428 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.