Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians at American University

The tiny sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers unreliable, but what they suggest is worrying: graduates start at just $19,337—95th percentile for debt nationally yet only 5th percentile for earnings among similar programs. Even at a selective school like American University, that first-year salary barely covers living expenses in one of the country's most expensive cities. The 140% earnings jump to $46,422 by year four offers hope, but that trajectory depends on landing in the right niche of DC's media and communications industry.

With just one school offering this bachelor's program in DC, the state percentile data (60th) is meaningless—you're comparing the program to itself. What matters is that American's graduates earn substantially less than the $26,194 national median, while carrying debt that's actually below the national average. The debt isn't catastrophic at $21,000, but starting at $19,000 in Washington DC creates real financial stress.

Given the small cohort, this data likely reflects a handful of graduates' outcomes rather than a reliable pattern. Parents should ask American directly about placement rates and career paths before committing. This program might work for students with financial cushion or family connections in DC media, but it's a risky bet otherwise.