American Military University

What American Military University does

American Military University (AMU) is a fully online higher education institution founded in 1991 by a Marine specifically to serve military-affiliated learners. AMU is the #1 provider of higher education to the U.S. military based on FY 2019 Department of Defense tuition assistance data and the top choice nationwide for veterans using GI Bill benefits based on VA enrollment data as of 2023. The institution operates as a brand under American Public University System (APUS), a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: APEI), with headquarters in Charles Town, West Virginia.

AMU delivers 200+ degree, certificate, microcredential, and individual course programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels through five academic schools (Arts, Humanities & Education; Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business; Health Sciences; Science, Technology, Engineering & Math; and Security & Global Studies). The technology stack centers on a proprietary asynchronous learning management system (ecampus) with a companion mobile app (myAMU), no-cost ebooks for all students, transfer credit evaluation tooling, and digital course materials. Programs run on 8- to 16-week sessions with monthly enrollment windows.

AMU generates revenue primarily through per-credit-hour tuition (standard rates of $360 undergrad / $470 master's, with a discounted Preferred Military Rate of $250 per credit for both levels), supplemented by direct federal funding flows from DoD tuition assistance, VA GI Bill benefits, and Title IV student aid. The customer base is concentrated in active-duty servicemembers across all U.S. military branches, veterans, military spouses and dependents, and a secondary cohort of national security and public safety professionals. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via a self-serve online application portal (login.apus.edu), admissions representatives by phone, and partnership channels with military organizations including the Military Officers Association of America (350,000 members) and Our Community Salutes. The Class of 2026 comprised 17,700+ graduates, with 64% drawn from active-duty, National Guard, or Reservist ranks.

Name

American Military University

Legal name

American Public University System, Inc.

Website

https://amu.apus.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

American Military University is an online higher education institution founded in 1991 serving U.S. military servicemembers, veterans, and their families through 200+ degree, certificate, and microcredential programs. It is the #1 provider of higher education to the U.S. military and operates under American Public Education, Inc.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense Universities & Joint Professional Military Education (PME) (EDAHAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Graduate & Postgraduate Institutions (STEM/Defense Research) (EDAHAOAE), Specialized Military Schools (Aviation, Naval, Cyber, Intelligence, Medical) (EDAHAOAG)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Military-friendly university
• Veteran education programs
• Distance learning degrees
• GI Bill tuition

Headquarters

HQ city

Charles Town

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees (Per-Credit Enrollment): AMU generates the majority of its revenue through per-credit-hour tuition charges. Students pay per credit based on their program level (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) and applicable discount rates (Preferred Military Rate, Veteran Grant, Opportunity Grant). The institution charges a graduation fee ($350) and a $100 application fee for doctoral programs. Financial aid (Pell Grants, federal student loans, military tuition assistance, VA benefits) supplements student payments.
2. Military Tuition Assistance: Active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and Reservists access military tuition assistance (TA) funded by their service branch, which is applied directly to their AMU tuition. This represents a significant revenue flow from federal defense programs.
3. VA GI Bill and Veteran Benefits: Veterans and their dependents use VA GI Bill benefits (Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Fry Scholarship) and other VA education benefits to fund their education at AMU. These federal benefits are drawn down as students complete courses.
4. Commencement and Event Fees: APUS holds annual commencement ceremonies (May 8-9, 2026 at the Gaylord National Resort) charging attendance/ceremony fees. Additional revenue is generated from charity events such as the 5K run/walk.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

American Military University is a fully online higher education institution offering 200+ accredited degree, certificate, and microcredential programs at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels across five academic schools. Courses are delivered asynchronously via its proprietary ecampus LMS with monthly start dates and 8- to 16-week sessions, with the institution's flagship value being a Preferred Military Rate of $250/credit hour for active-duty servicemembers, veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and military families.

Product overview

American Military University (AMU) operates as an online educational platform offering over 200 online degree and certificate programs across multiple academic levels. The institution is organized into five academic schools: School of Arts, Humanities & Education; Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business; School of Health Sciences; School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math; and School of Security & Global Studies. Programs span associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, supplemented by certificate programs and microcredentials (NanoCerts). AMU also provides military-specific benefits including the Preferred Military Rate ($250/credit) and Veteran Grants (10-15% discounts), alongside student support services such as career coaching, 24/7 mental health support, and transfer credit evaluation. The institution primarily serves military-affiliated students and their families through its online delivery model with monthly course starts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Associate Degrees Fully online associate degree programs providing foundational undergraduate education across multiple disciplines including arts, business, criminal justice, health sciences, homeland security, IT, intelligence, and legal studies. Designed for active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and military families seeking portable, accredited credentials.
• Online Bachelor's Degrees Online bachelor degree programs covering areas such as homeland security, intelligence studies, business administration, criminal justice, nursing, information technology, emergency management, education, and legal studies. Target working adult learners, active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and military families seeking accredited four-year credentials.
• Online Master's Programs Graduate-level online master's degree programs across disciplines for career advancement and professional development, including homeland security, intelligence studies, business administration (MBA), criminal justice, IT, cybersecurity, and education. Offered asynchronously with monthly start dates and the Preferred Military Rate of $250/credit.
• Online Doctoral Programs Doctoral-level online degree programs offering advanced academic research and professional practice doctorates (e.g., Doctor of Strategic Intelligence, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DBA). Includes a $100 application fee and $350 graduation fee.
• Online Certificate Programs Undergraduate and graduate certificate programs providing focused credentialing in specific academic and professional areas such as homeland security, intelligence, emergency management, IT, and business. Stackable toward AMU degree programs.
• Microcredentials and NanoCerts Short-term credential programs (NanoCerts) offering focused skill development and recognized micro-credentials for career enhancement in specialized subject areas such as intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, emergency management, and homeland security.
• Individual Courses Standalone online courses available for enrollment, allowing students to take individual classes for professional development, continuing education, or credit transfer toward a future degree program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Preferred Military Rate reduces undergraduate tuition by 30.55% ($360 → $250/credit) and master's tuition by 46.81% ($470 → $250/credit)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Our Community Salutes (OCS)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 May 2026AMU became a National Sponsor for Our Community Salutes, a nonprofit organization that supports future enlisted service members and their families as they begin their military journey. AMU is the first university to sponsor OCS at the national level, building on a history of supporting OCS events since 2009. The partnership provides recognition ceremonies, developmental programs, and community support to high school seniors planning to enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces after graduation.
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026AMU and MOAA announced a partnership on April 7, 2026, offering a 20% tuition grant to 350,000 MOAA members and their extended family members (spouses, siblings, children, grandchildren, and dependents). The partnership covers online degree and certificate programs at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, and is designed to expand access to higher education across generations of military families. Both organizations framed the partnership as a commitment to supporting servicemembers, veterans, and their loved ones.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Columbia Southern University: Columbia Southern University is an online for-profit university with a strong focus on military, fire, EMS, and law enforcement learners, offering discounted military tuition rates and DoD TA approval. It is one of the closest direct competitors to AMU in mission, audience, and online-only delivery.
• Purdue University Global: Purdue Global is an online-focused institution serving adult, military, and working learners with competency-based and accelerated degree programs. Directly competes with AMU for online adult learners and accepts military TA and GI Bill benefits, positioning it as an overlapping provider in the same online military education category.
• Liberty University Online: Liberty University is a large private nonprofit with a substantial online enrollment serving active-duty military, veterans, and their families through discounted military tuition rates, Yellow Ribbon participation, and DoD TA approval. Overlaps directly with AMU's mission, delivery model, and military student target market.
• Norwich University: Norwich is a private military college with strong veteran and ROTC enrollment, offering online undergraduate and graduate programs aligned to national security and leadership. Competes with AMU for military-affiliated learners seeking accredited credentials with a defense-oriented identity.
• Ashford University / University of Arizona Global Campus: Formerly Ashford University and now branded University of Arizona Global Campus, this online-focused institution serves large numbers of military-affiliated and adult learners through TA and GI Bill benefits. Operates in the same online, military-friendly higher education category as AMU.
• Western Governors University (WGU): WGU is a nonprofit online competency-based university with significant military-affiliated enrollment and a flat-rate tuition model that competes on affordability and acceleration. Overlaps with AMU on online adult learners, military-friendly pricing, and degree pathways aligned to in-demand careers.
• Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): SNHU is a nonprofit university with one of the largest online enrollments in the U.S., including a significant military-affiliated population via TA, GI Bill, and military spouse benefits. Competes with AMU on online accessibility, transfer credit flexibility, and affordability for working-adult and military students.
• Thomas Edison State University: Thomas Edison State is a public New Jersey institution specializing in adult and military learners, with extensive credit-for-prior-learning policies and a large active-duty and veteran enrollment. Directly comparable to AMU on prior-learning assessment, online delivery, and military-affiliated audience.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Worldwide Campus): Embry-Riddle Worldwide is an online campus with deep aviation, aerospace, and defense roots, serving a large active-duty and military-affiliated student population via flexible online and on-base formats. Competes with AMU in security, intelligence, business, and STEM programs targeted at uniformed learners.
• University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC): UMGC is a public online university and historically one of the largest providers of higher education to the U.S. military, with strong DoD TA and TA use among active-duty servicemembers stationed overseas. Directly competes with AMU for the same military-affiliated student segment via online delivery, TA acceptance, and GI Bill participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmericanPublicU
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanMilitaryUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/american-military-university
• Xx.com/AmericanMilU

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Military University