American Public University System
Charles Town, WV 25414
About American Public University System
American Public University System is a private for-profit university in Charles Town, West Virginia, enrolling about 40,074 students. American Public University System awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $8,400 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $44,409 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- American Public University System charges about 0.5× the national private for-profit median tuition ($8,400).
- Versus the West Virginia median, sticker tuition is 12% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 57.16%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,409.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at American Public University System is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1057% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
American Public University System awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 99 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System | $8,400 | $9,597 | 1 |
| Private For-profit (national median) | $16,637 | — | 477 |
| West Virginia (state median) | $9,574 | $9,114 | 36 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is American Public University System really?
Key findings
- American Public University System charges about 0.5× the national private for-profit median tuition ($8,400).
- Versus the West Virginia median, sticker tuition is 12% below.
American Public University System tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,400
Finding American Public University System charges about 0.5× the national private for-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,400. That is about 0.5× the national private for-profit median ($16,637). Versus the West Virginia median ($9,574), sticker tuition is 12% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 29% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private for-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at American Public University System versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at American Public University System versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at American Public University System is $9,597.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $9,597 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $482 above the West Virginia median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $5,374 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At American Public University System, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
American Public University System: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for American Public University System—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$8,400
Avg. net price
$9,597
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $9,335 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,766 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $8,951 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,559 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $33,600. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What American Public University System is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General3,017
- General Studies1,515
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other928
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management816
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies712
See earnings & programs for more.
Is American Public University System a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
American Public University System is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for American Public University System.
Campus
Location
Charles Town, WV
City / state
- ZIP
- 25414
- NCES locale
- Town fringe
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 36% below the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Private For-profit
Control
- Region
- Southeast
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Size
Enrollment
40,074
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 78,494
- Graduate
- 9,095
- Full-time share
- 9%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$21,743
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 24.55%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for American Public University System.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at American Public University System was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for American Public University System in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,400 | $6,400 | $9,095 |
| 2014 | $6,400 | $6,400 | $9,888 |
| 2015 | $6,880 | $6,880 | $10,321 |
| 2016 | $6,880 | $6,880 | $11,262 |
| 2017 | $6,880 | $6,880 | $10,284 |
| 2018 | $6,880 | $6,880 | $9,718 |
| 2019 | $7,324 | $7,324 | $10,222 |
| 2020 | $7,360 | $7,360 | $10,563 |
| 2021 | $7,360 | $7,360 | $11,144 |
| 2022 | $7,360 | $7,360 | $10,168 |
| 2023 | $8,400 | $8,400 | $9,104 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
American Public University System reported total enrollment of about 40,074 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 64% male and 36% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (44.2%), Hispanic or Latino (20.0%), and Black or African American (17.8%). About 24.55% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 53.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
9.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at American Public University System in 2024 is 40,074 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 78,494 students. Graduate enrollment is about 9,095 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
97.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
35.01% 100% Completion Time
57.16% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 35.01% of students graduating from American Public University System completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 72% male / 28% female
- General Studies: 78% male / 22% female
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other: 44% male / 56% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
American Public University System graduates earn a median of $44,409 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of American Public University System.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $44,409. Median federal loan debt: $21,743. Average net price used in cost models: $9,597.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway American Public University System graduates report median earnings of $44,409 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for American Public University System.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (99 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at American Public University System.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for American Public University System graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for American Public University System—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 18.4%
- West Virginia median 40.3 pp below median (58.7%)
- Southeast median 41.0 pp below median (59.4%)
- U.S. median 39.5 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $5,404
- West Virginia median 0.85× the median ($6,342)
- Southeast median 0.79× the median ($6,825)
- U.S. median 0.71× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $1,771
- West Virginia median 0.24× the median ($7,346)
- Southeast median 0.27× the median ($6,602)
- U.S. median 0.24× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
American Public University System at a glance
American Public University System
American Public University System is a private for-profit institution in Charles Town, WV, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralGeneral StudiesHealth Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian44.2%Hispanic or Latino20.0%Black or African American17.8%
Schools near American Public University System
Other campuses in Charles Town, WV when available, plus nearby institutions in West Virginia.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within West Virginia, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is American Public University System located?
American Public University System is located in Charles Town, WV.
What is American Public University System's tuition?
American Public University System tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,400 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $9,597 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does American Public University System cost?
Reported tuition is $8,400 and average net price is $9,597 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,120 annually.
What explains American Public University System's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($9,597), completion (57.2% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($44,409). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at American Public University System?
American Public University System reports undergraduate enrollment of about 78,494 students, White (44.2%), Hispanic or Latino (20.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend American Public University System?
About 53.4% of students at American Public University System are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of American Public University System earn?
Median earnings are $32,917 six years after entry and $44,409 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at American Public University System?
The 150%-time completion rate is 57.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do American Public University System students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,743.
Is American Public University System public or private?
American Public University System is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, WV.
Is American Public University System an HBCU?
No. American Public University System is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is American Public University System a tribal college?
No. American Public University System is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.