American Public University System vs Marshall University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Marshall University comes closer — median earnings $46,354 against a $30,008 total, vs $44,409 at American Public University System. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Public University System | Marshall University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,597 | $7,502 |
| Total net cost | $38,388 | $30,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,409 | $46,354 |
| Median debt | $21,743 | $23,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$117,408 | -$70,128 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Public University System or Marshall University?
Marshall University, at $7,502 a year after aid versus $9,597 — a gap of $2,095 a year, or $8,380 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do American Public University System or Marshall University graduates earn more?
Marshall University graduates report a median $46,354 ten years after entry, $1,945 more than the $44,409 at American Public University System. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, American Public University System or Marshall University?
American Public University System: its completers carry a median $21,743 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Marshall University, a difference of $1,507. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at American Public University System, against 51% at Marshall University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.