Location: Washington, DC•In-State Tuition: $56,543•Admission Rate: 47%•Avg SAT: 1392
Median Earnings (1yr)
$73,725
66th percentile
40th percentile in District of Columbia
Sample: 576 graduates

Earnings Distribution

How American University graduates compare to all programs nationally

American University earns $74k — 66th percentile among law professional programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
American University$73,725$92,991+26%
Georgetown University$168,995$146,922-13%
George Washington University$95,225$125,556+32%
The Catholic University of America$77,441$103,990+34%
Howard University$81,173$83,812+3%

Compare to Similar Programs in District of Columbia

Law professional's programs at peer institutions in District of Columbia (6 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
American UniversityWashington$56,543$73,725$92,991——
Georgetown UniversityWashington$65,081$168,995$146,922——
George Washington UniversityWashington$64,990$95,225$125,556——
Howard UniversityWashington$33,344$81,173$83,812——
The Catholic University of AmericaWashington$55,834$77,441$103,990——
University of the District of ColumbiaWashington$6,152$59,595———
National Median—$67,512———

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with law graduates

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

$151,160/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

$135,160/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

$135,160/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Law Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.

$67,710/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Judicial Law Clerks

Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At American University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.