American University
ROI analysis for 34 degree programs. Sorted worst first.
| Major | Level | Debt | Earnings | Ratio | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Degree | $161,696 | $60,267 | 2.68x | TRAP |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Master's | $66,504 | $42,901 | 1.55x | TRAP |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | Master's | $65,926 | $48,710 | 1.35x | CAUTION |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Master's | $51,250 | $38,845 | 1.32x | CAUTION |
| Journalism | Master's | $55,989 | $43,477 | 1.29x | CAUTION |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | Master's | $59,904 | $47,574 | 1.26x | CAUTION |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | Master's | $62,122 | $50,964 | 1.22x | CAUTION |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | Master's | $53,268 | $51,147 | 1.04x | CAUTION |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | Master's | $51,250 | $49,550 | 1.03x | CAUTION |
| History | Master's | $41,000 | $39,634 | 1.03x | CAUTION |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | Master's | $61,500 | $59,460 | 1.03x | CAUTION |
| Philosophy | Master's | $42,373 | $41,396 | 1.02x | CAUTION |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's | $89,433 | $89,205 | 1.0x | CAUTION |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Bachelor's | $24,989 | $25,854 | 0.97x | CAUTION |
| Public Policy Analysis | Master's | $54,986 | $59,308 | 0.93x | CAUTION |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Master's | $51,250 | $58,228 | 0.88x | CAUTION |
| Communication and Media Studies | Master's | $51,250 | $59,305 | 0.86x | CAUTION |
| International and Comparative Education | Master's | $39,375 | $48,881 | 0.81x | CAUTION |
| Public Administration | Master's | $55,000 | $69,734 | 0.79x | CAUTION |
| Economics | Master's | $46,108 | $62,457 | 0.74x | VIABLE |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | Master's | $43,885 | $61,023 | 0.72x | VIABLE |
| Homeland Security | Master's | $41,000 | $58,107 | 0.71x | VIABLE |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | Bachelor's | $19,085 | $26,863 | 0.71x | VIABLE |
| Literature | Bachelor's | $26,105 | $38,528 | 0.68x | VIABLE |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | $23,500 | $35,226 | 0.67x | VIABLE |
| Public Health | Bachelor's | $23,250 | $36,775 | 0.63x | VIABLE |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's | $23,250 | $39,002 | 0.6x | VIABLE |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's | $19,701 | $33,080 | 0.6x | VIABLE |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | Master's | $51,250 | $87,167 | 0.59x | VIABLE |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | Bachelor's | $24,375 | $44,628 | 0.55x | VIABLE |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | Bachelor's | $23,000 | $44,939 | 0.51x | VIABLE |
| Political Science and Government | Bachelor's | $23,250 | $45,217 | 0.51x | VIABLE |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | Master's | $26,500 | $53,337 | 0.5x | VIABLE |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's | $22,625 | $64,161 | 0.35x | VIABLE |