College Search
American University

American University

Washington, DC · City · 7,266 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$41,943
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
77%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$77,370
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
62%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in a residential neighborhood of Washington, D.C., American University is best known for its deep focus on public service, policy, and international relations, anchored by standout programs in the School of International Service, the School of Public Affairs, and the School of Communication. The university leverages its capital city setting to provide exceptional experiential learning, with the vast majority of undergraduates completing internships at nearby embassies, government agencies, NGOs, and media organizations. Campus culture is distinctly mission-driven and politically active, attracting passionate, globally minded students dedicated to civic engagement and social change. Uniquely, AU combines this immediate access to the nation's political center with a traditional collegiate atmosphere set on a certified 84-acre national arboretum.

Wikipedia:The American University is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Its main campus spans 90 acres on Ward Circle, in the Spring Valley and Tenleytown neighborhoods of Northwest D.C.

Location
Washington, DC, 20016-8001 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
DCA · Washington DC
6 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$58,771
Housing & food (on campus)$17,982
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$76,058
Average net price$41,943
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$58,771
Housing & food (on campus)$17,982
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$76,058
Average net price$41,943
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$23,233
$30–48k
$20,444
$48–75k
$26,035
$75–110k
$30,063
$110k+
$53,673
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$13,691
First-years who got one463
Source: American University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
77%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
68%
Back for yr 2
88%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
79% graduated · 10% transferred · 11% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$61,328
10 yrs after entry$77,370
Debt
Median at graduation$22,750
Monthly payment$241
Middle 50% owe$10.8k–$27k
90th percentile$33,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
62%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1381
R 660–740 · M 620–720
ACT midpoint
31
Comp 29–32 · E 28–35 · M 25–29
SAT middle 50%: 1280–1460
40080012001600

Wondering if American University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search
Essay prompts

If American University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 38%Women 62%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
14%
First-gen
16%
Family income
$84,200
Independent
4%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
3%
Race & ethnicity
White
56%
Hispanic
14%
Black
8%
Asian
7%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
5%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$61,328
After 10 yrs
$77,370
International Relations and National Security Studies387
Business Administration, Management and Operations264
Political Science and Government216
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other125
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication107
Criminal Justice and Corrections104
Psychology, General79
Economics71
Public Health65
Finance and Financial Management Services65
Journalism49
Film/Video and Photographic Arts45
Non-Professional Legal Studies31
Computer Science29
History29
Communication and Media Studies27
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.0B
Full-time faculty
59%
Faculty salary
$13,722/mo
Teaching spend
$19,197
per student
Federal loans
38%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$78M research spending · 84 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if American University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search