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Overview

About APEI

From our beginning as American Military University (AMU), established to serve the needs of a highly mobile military, to the present day as the largest educator of active-duty military and veterans, one of the largest providers of pre-licensure ADN + PN (Associate Degree in Nursing + Practical Nursing) programs through Rasmussen and Hondros College of Nursing, and a leading provider of federal workforce training through Graduate School USA, APEI has remained steadfast in its commitment to social responsibility—serving our students with quality education that respects their financial well-being and their future.

Today, APEI offers a portfolio of education solutions:

  • American Public University System (APUS), which includes American Military University and American Public University, headquartered in Charles Town, WV, and serving students online worldwide.

  • Hondros College of Nursing, with locations in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan

  • Rasmussen University, with campus locations throughout the Midwest and Florida and serving online students nationally

  • Graduate School USA, based in Washington, D.C. and providing virtual instruction nationally

 

We stand for purpose-built education to help students realize their personal or professional goals. Four main pillars—Affordability, Quality, Innovation, and Outcomes-Focused Learning—guide us.

Affordability

Amid concern about the rising cost of a college education and students saddled with debt upon graduation, APEI believes higher education must be more affordable.

For us, affordability equals access. By offering programs with both an affordable tuition rate and an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, we boost access to higher education so more students are able to realize their goals and derive true value for their investment.

To illustrate our commitment to affordability, APEI can proudly say that 72% of students at our founding institution—American Public University System—have graduated with no APUS-incurred student loan debt.*

Value
Quality

Quality

We ensure quality by maintaining a focus on academic excellence—delivered by practitioner faculty who enrich learning with their real-world expertise from business, government, healthcare, public safety, law enforcement, and the military.

We believe the 200,000+ students and alumni who have trusted us to advance their knowledge serves as proof of our commitment to quality. Accreditation by recognized and respected agencies further signals our quality and commitment to academic rigor.

Innovation

APEI seeks to drive innovation in education technology. We began as American Military University, offering distance education for our nation’s servicemembers, evolving to become among the earliest online educators.

Demonstrating our commitment to access for our largely working professional student population, online delivery allows busy professionals the flexibility to learn on their schedule.

Additionally, our campus-based programs focus on nursing and healthcare education and are leveraging innovative healthcare partnerships with direct placement opportunities and curriculum structured to get new licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to work in as little as 15 months and new registered nurses (RNs) to work in as little as 2.5 years.

Innovation
Relationships

Outcomes-Focused

Career-driven learning has been a mainstay for APEI.

Through Rasmussen and Hondros College of Nursing, APEI is one of the largest pre-licensure nursing educators (ADN + PN) in the United States, creating new nurses at our 28 campuses. Today, we work with over 240 clinical partners at Rasmussen and over 60 clinical partners at Hondros College of Nursing to help healthcare systems alleviate chronic nursing shortages.

Graduate School USA diversifies our portfolio and provides a platform to train and enhance the professional development of service-minded government workforce members. Its Center for Leadership and Management has trained thousands of leaders.

At APUS, delivering exceptional education at an affordable price continues to be at its core, and recent third-party publications validate our contributions to student success and achievement.

For example, APUS ranked in the top 22% for students’ return on educational investment compared to 4,396 colleges and universities nationwide, according to a 2025 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce report (based on the 2021-2022 cohort showing students’ median earnings 20 years following their initial enrollment at APUS).



Student and alumni data as of December 31, 2022.

* As of December 31, 2021. Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.