Top Ranked Programs
American University's program mix is anchored in social sciences, policy, and international affairs—a portfolio shaped by the institution's location in Washington, DC and its research identity. International Relations and National Security Studies is the largest program with 382 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Political Science, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The institution's dominant program family, Social Sciences, accounts for a substantial share of degrees across 35 total programs, with 0 meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's strength in policy-oriented and analytical fields. Finance graduates earn median earnings of $134,332 four years after enrollment, while Business Administration graduates earn $88,359 and Economics graduates earn $85,016. Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Interdisciplinary Studies round out the top earners with median earnings of $78,410 and $76,552 respectively. These outcomes reflect both the applied nature of many programs and the strong labor-market demand for graduates in policy, business, and international-affairs fields in the DC region. Most of American University's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly into policy, government, nonprofit, and business sectors. The concentration in social sciences and policy-adjacent fields positions the institution for strong alignment with national demand for graduates in public affairs, international relations, and policy analysis. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with broader labor-market trends and career mobility patterns.