Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at American Public University System by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at American Public University System ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
25
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$55,759
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$16,358
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$500,614 | $72,382 | $16,358 | $30,810 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$457,106 | $69,785 | $16,358 | $24,564 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Fire Protection.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$454,032 | $69,285 | $16,358 | $19,434 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
International/Global Studies.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$357,469 | $64,031 | $16,358 | $13,125 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$341,749 | $64,275 | $16,358 | $28,384 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$225,903 | $58,021 | $16,358 | $21,544 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Homeland Security.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$208,032 | $56,993 | $16,358 | $19,552 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$183,406 | $55,825 | $16,358 | $20,490 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Religion/Religious Studies.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$178,318 | $55,605 | $16,358 | $21,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$156,697 | $54,342 | $16,358 | $18,304 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Public Health.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$139,719 | $54,215 | $16,358 | $28,999 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$132,918 | $53,200 | $16,358 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Marketing.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$108,066 | $52,793 | $16,358 | $31,379 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$26,856 | $48,226 | $16,358 | $23,875 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
International Relations and National Security Studies.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
+$10,984 | $46,726 | $16,358 | $13,410 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$104,570 | $42,618 | $16,358 | $38,147 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Security Science and Technology.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$105,868 | $42,158 | $16,358 | $32,294 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$119,903 | $40,580 | $16,358 | $19,312 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$120,297 | $41,233 | $16,358 | $29,278 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Hospitality Administration/Management.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$152,242 | $40,223 | $16,358 | $37,978 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate).
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$154,992 | $40,290 | $16,358 | $41,008 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
History.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$185,157 | $37,808 | $16,358 | $26,582 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$230,075 | $35,926 | $16,358 | $31,973 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$387,048 | $28,288 | $16,358 | $35,094 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Grad rate: 54.3% |
-$527,723 | $21,334 | $16,358 | $36,275 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.