All American University majors by area
- Humanities & Languages · 10
- Science & Math · 9
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 7
- Arts & Design · 6
- Business & Finance · 4
- Communications & Media · 4
- Technology & Computing · 2
- Education · 1
- Health & Medicine · 1
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $49,486 | $76,552 | $23,000 |
| Ethnic / Gender Studies | $46,206 | $63,553 | $25,000 |
| History | $43,809 | $59,630 | $26,000 |
| Literature | $23,164 | $54,436 | $26,105 |
| Area Studies | $43,671 | — | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts / General Studies | — | — | — |
| Middle / Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | — | — | — |
| Religious Studies | — | — | — |
| Spanish / French / Romance Languages | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science / Conservation | $46,780 | $63,711 | $26,905 |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry | — | — | — |
| Biology | $33,917 | — | $19,866 |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Neuroscience | — | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Statistics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Photography | $26,767 | $52,661 | $23,250 |
| Dance | — | — | — |
| Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design | — | — | — |
| Music | — | — | — |
| Studio Art | $35,115 | — | $23,250 |
| Theatre | $23,979 | — | $24,989 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance | $83,505 | $134,332 | $22,625 |
| Accounting | — | $119,020 | — |
| Business Administration | $58,299 | $88,359 | $24,697 |
| Economics | $58,151 | $85,016 | $22,625 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | $50,026 | $78,410 | $26,442 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies / Technicians | $19,337 | $75,461 | $20,980 |
| Communications | $36,980 | $67,863 | $22,611 |
| Journalism | $44,387 | $66,635 | $25,000 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | — | $117,293 | — |
| Computational Science | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Elementary / Secondary) | $55,625 | $66,160 | $27,000 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health | $42,194 | $70,831 | $23,452 |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Business Administration → Management analyst
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 10.1% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Public Relations and Advertising → Public relations specialist
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former American University students earn a median $77,370 ten years after starting college, more than 71% of District of Columbia colleges we cover. 75% graduate within six years.
American University majors questions
How many majors does American University offer?
American University offers 44 bachelor's majors across 9 areas; the most majors are in Humanities & Languages and Science & Math.
What is the highest-paying major at American University?
Finance graduates from American University earn a median $134,332 four years after graduating, the highest of the 23 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $22,625.
Which American University majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Film and Photography graduates earn the least: a median $52,661 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to American University overview