American Public University System (APUS) is a private, for-profit online university headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia, comprising two institutions: American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). Founded in 1991 by retired Marine Corps officer James P. Etter to serve active-duty military personnel, the system has since expanded to serve veterans, government employees, working adults, and civilians seeking affordable online education. APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers over 200 degree and certificate programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in fields including national security, intelligence, criminal justice, emergency management, cybersecurity, information technology, transportation, business administration, and liberal arts. The system is particularly well-regarded for its military-friendly policies, including acceptance of military transcripts and alignment of programs with Department of Defense tuition assistance limits. APUS maintains an open admissions policy and charges flat per-credit-hour tuition at rates far below the national average for private universities. With approximately 50,000 enrolled students—the vast majority studying part-time—APUS is one of the largest online universities in the United States focused on military and government workforce populations. The institution operates entirely without traditional campus amenities, athletics, or on-campus housing.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$8,400
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $8,400
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
