
American Public University System
Median Salary (5 years)
Bachelor's
$68,950
Master's
$84,291
Doctoral
N/A
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 . 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.
Rankings
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#1
2025 Most Affordable Online Sociology Master's Degrees
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#1
Most Popular Online Supply Chain Management Master's Degrees
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#1
2025 Best Military-Friendly UUÖ±²¥s
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#2
Best Online Master's Programs in Exercise Science
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#2
Most Popular Online Master's Degrees in Emergency Management
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#2
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Child Development
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#3
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Political Science
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#3
2025 Most Affordable Online Environmental Science Master's Degrees
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#3
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Supply Chain Management
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#3
Most Popular Online Criminal Justice Associate Degrees 2025
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#3
2025 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Web Development
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#3
2025 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Philosophy
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#4
2025 Best UUÖ±²¥s with Open Admissions
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#4
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Aerospace Engineering
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#4
2025 Best Online Associate Degrees in Business
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#4
2025 Most Affordable Online Nutrition Degrees
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#5
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Exercise Science
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#5
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Emergency Management
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#6
2025 Most Affordable UUÖ±²¥s for Law Degrees
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#6
2025 Most Affordable Online Healthcare Informatics Degrees
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#6
2025 Most Affordable Online Environmental Science Degrees
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#6
2025 Most Affordable Online Child Development Degrees
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#7
2025 Most Affordable Online Public Health Degrees
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#7
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Management
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#7
Best Online Paralegal Associate Degrees
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#7
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Homeland Security
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#8
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Cybersecurity
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#8
Most Popular Online Paralegal Certificates
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#8
2025 Most Popular Online Aerospace Engineering Master's Degrees
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#8
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Sports Management
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#8
2025 Most Affordable Online Fire Science Degrees
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#8
2025 Most Affordable Online Project Management Degrees
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#9
2025 Most Affordable Online Emergency Management Degrees
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#9
2025 Most Affordable Hospitality Management Degrees Online
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#10
2025 Most Affordable Online Mathematics Degrees
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#10
2025 Most Affordable UUÖ±²¥s with Open Admissions
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#10
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in History
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#10
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Psychology
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#11
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Human Resources
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#12
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
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#13
2025 Most Affordable Master's in Criminal Justice Online
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#13
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Accounting
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#13
2025 Most Affordable Online Supply Chain Management Degrees
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#15
2025 Most Affordable Homeland Security Degrees Online
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#15
2025 Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Computer Science
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#18
2025 Most Affordable Online History Degrees
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#18
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Public Administration
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#18
2025 Most Affordable Online IT Degrees
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#20
2025 Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees
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#20
2025 Most Affordable Online Sociology Degrees
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#21
2025 Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Degrees
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#22
2025 Most Affordable Healthcare Administration Degrees Online
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#25
2025 Most Affordable Online Management Degrees
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#27
2025 Most Affordable Online Marketing Degrees
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#1
2025 Best Online Accounting Degrees in West Virginia
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#1
2025 Best Online Exercise Science Bachelor's Degrees
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#1
2025 Best Master's in History Online Programs
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#1
2025 Best Online Political Science Degrees
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#2
2025 Best Online Nutrition Degrees
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#2
2025 Best Online Public Health Degrees
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#2
2025 Best Online Religious Studies Degrees
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#2
2025 Best UUÖ±²¥s in West Virginia
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#3
2025 Best Online Master's Degrees in Child Development
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#4
2025 Best Online Math Degrees
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#4
2025 Best Online RN to MSN Programs
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#5
2025 Best Online Hospitality Management Degrees
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#5
2025 Best Online Certificates in Accounting
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#5
2025 Best Online Master's Degrees in Environmental Science
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#5
2025 Best Master's in Political Science Online
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#6
2025 Best Degrees in Sports Management Online
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#6
2025 Best Online Master's in Homeland Security Degrees
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#6
2025 Best Online Master's Degrees in Sports Management
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#7
2025 Best Online History Degrees
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#7
2025 Best Criminal Justice Online Master's Degrees
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#7
The Most Popular Accredited UUÖ±²¥s in 2025
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#9
2025 Best Online Business Certificate Programs
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#9
2025 Best Online Master of Public Administration Degrees
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#10
2025 Best Online Degrees in Healthcare Administration
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#10
2025 Best Online Project Management Degrees
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#22
Best UUÖ±²¥s in 2025
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#22
2025 Best Online Marketing Degrees
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#24
2025 Best Online IT Degrees
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#28
2025 Best Online Master's Degrees in Psychology
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#30
Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting
Median Salary for Online Degrees at American Public University System
Certificate Degrees
Field of Study | Median Salary (1 year) | Median Salary (5 years) |
---|---|---|
Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,480 | $53,536 |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $50,957 | $70,057 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,857 | $30,116 |
Legal Support Services | Not Reported | $39,088 |
Associate Degrees
Field of Study | Median Salary (1 year) | Median Salary (5 years) |
---|---|---|
Accounting and Related Services | $42,509 | $51,544 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,518 | $57,549 |
Business/Commerce, General | $44,027 | $60,839 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,978 | $46,482 |
Fire Protection | Not Reported | $61,771 |
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $41,350 | $53,537 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $16,558 | $27,395 |
Human Resources Management and Services | Not Reported | $60,037 |
Legal Support Services | $40,049 | $43,421 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,108 | $64,517 |
Public Health | $36,794 | $44,031 |
Bachelor's Degrees
Field of Study | Median Salary (1 year) | Median Salary (5 years) |
---|---|---|
Accounting and Related Services | $50,688 | $60,064 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,687 | $74,073 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General | $68,210 | $73,927 |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $66,588 | $94,292 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,409 | $69,844 |
English Language and Literature, General | $37,602 | $40,154 |
Fire Protection | $73,302 | $81,009 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,381 | $55,115 |
History | $35,198 | $53,057 |
Homeland Security | $62,340 | $75,928 |
Hospitality Administration/Management | $37,174 | $55,116 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,347 | $42,229 |
Marketing | $53,578 | $62,057 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $50,260 | $67,242 |
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $46,109 | $60,106 |
Political Science and Government | $56,763 | $87,190 |
Psychology, General | $39,655 | $50,168 |
Public Health | $47,100 | $63,490 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $85,161 | $82,848 |
Security Science and Technology | $49,622 | $52,779 |
Sociology | $47,633 | $55,096 |
Master's Degrees
Field of Study | Median Salary (1 year) | Median Salary (5 years) |
---|---|---|
Accounting and Related Services | $62,489 | $86,537 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations | $74,658 | $89,766 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections | $74,466 | $78,388 |
Education, General | $62,404 | $55,181 |
Educational Administration and Supervision | Not Reported | $78,831 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $59,601 | $65,913 |
History | $56,621 | $68,620 |
Homeland Security | $77,276 | $91,488 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $63,243 | $80,040 |
Political Science and Government | $69,309 | $82,713 |
Psychology, General | $47,524 | $52,145 |
Public Administration | $70,882 | $83,170 |
Public Health | $77,809 | $77,390 |
Student Counseling and Personnel Services | Not Reported | $55,311 |
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 , 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.
, 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 , 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.