Best Master's Degree Programs at American University by ROI
Every Master's Degree major at American University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
22
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$421,025
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$71,549
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Taxation.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$1,256,762 | $111,993 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$1,161,222 | $107,216 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$878,882 | $93,099 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Public Administration.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$727,782 | $85,544 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Public Policy Analysis.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$622,422 | $80,276 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Law.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$576,942 | $78,002 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$550,842 | $76,697 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
International Relations and National Security Studies.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$483,742 | $73,342 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Curriculum and Instruction.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$474,122 | $72,861 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$429,222 | $70,616 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$420,022 | $70,156 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$399,742 | $69,142 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$352,122 | $66,761 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$282,442 | $63,277 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
International and Comparative Education.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$245,422 | $61,426 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$211,962 | $59,753 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
History.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$142,542 | $56,282 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$105,882 | $54,449 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$65,362 | $52,423 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Philosophy.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$39,062 | $51,108 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
+$28,482 | $50,579 | $71,549 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 79.0% |
-$192,418 | $39,534 | $71,549 | $0 | 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.