American University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
American University is a private research university in Washington, District of Columbia, serving roughly 7,266 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 61.96% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $77,370 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $58,771
- 2024 Average Net Price: $41,943 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 61.96% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,266 97.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 75.49%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 15.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 3.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 58.7%
- Average SAT Score: 1381
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,674
- Applicants (IPEDS): 17,786
- Room & Board: $17,982 annual estimate
American University: what the data shows
Common questions about American University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is American University?
American University is located in Washington, DC (ZIP 20016-8001).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is American University public or private?
American University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does American University cost?
Published tuition: $58,771.
Average net price after aid: $41,943.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $23,233 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $20,444 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $26,035 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $30,063 |
| $110,001+ | $53,673 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $235,084.
How hard is it to get into American University?
Admission rate: 61.96%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1381 and midpoint ACT 31.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is American University?
Total enrollment: 7,266 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,674 students.
Graduate enrollment: 4,845 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at American University?
150%-time completion rate: 75.49%.
First-year retention: 88.2%.
What do graduates of American University earn?
Median earnings: $61,328 six years after entry; $77,370 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,750.
13.88% of students receive Pell grants.
What is American University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- International Relations and Affairs (794 completions)
- Law (378 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (277 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (273 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (174 completions)
- Public Administration (162 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (145 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (114 completions)
- Psychology, General (109 completions)
- Management Science (109 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is American University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 61.96%; completion rate 75.49%; median earnings $77,370 at 10 years; net price $41,943. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$58,771
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at American University was $58,771.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$41,943
2024 Value
In 2024 American University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $41,943.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$167,772 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$41,943 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$235,084 4-Year Tuition
$17,982 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$77,753 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$311,012 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for American University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
13.88% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
37.99% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at American University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for American University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $40,649 | $40,649 | $33,437 |
| 2014 | $41,833 | $41,833 | $36,074 |
| 2015 | $43,103 | $43,103 | $36,480 |
| 2016 | $44,853 | $44,853 | $35,325 |
| 2017 | $46,615 | $46,615 | $36,567 |
| 2018 | $48,459 | $48,459 | $34,617 |
| 2019 | $49,889 | $49,889 | $43,451 |
| 2020 | $51,361 | $51,361 | $40,088 |
| 2021 | $53,334 | $53,334 | $28,037 |
| 2022 | $53,889 | $53,889 | $43,412 |
| 2023 | $56,543 | $56,543 | $41,945 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
61.96% Acceptance Rate
17,786 Total Applicants
8,427 Students Admitted
1,856 First-Time Students Enrolled
22.02% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1381
ACT Average: 31
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
American University reported total enrollment of about 7,266 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (56.0%), Hispanic or Latino (14.0%), and Black or African American (8.2%). About 13.88% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 15.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at American University in 2024 is 7,266 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 8,674 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,845 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
88.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 56.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
67.60% 100% Completion Time
75.49% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 67.60% of students graduating from American University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- International Relations and Affairs: 41% male / 59% female
- Law: 31% male / 69% female
- Political Science and Government, General: 48% male / 52% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for American University.
Return on Investment
$22,750 Median Student Debt
$77,370 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
29.40% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
361.16% Return on Investment
2.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for American University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 120 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. International Relations and Affairs: 794 completions
2. Law: 378 completions
3. Political Science and Government, General: 277 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 273 completions
5. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 174 completions
6. Public Administration: 162 completions
7. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 145 completions
8. Elementary Education and Teaching: 114 completions
9. Psychology, General: 109 completions
Most popular programs at American University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for American University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for American University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 58.7%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,722
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $19,197
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
American University is a private non-profit institution located in Washington, DC, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were International Relations and Affairs, Law, Political Science and Government, General. Enrollment is approximately 7,266 students. Student body composition includes White (56.0%), Hispanic or Latino (14.0%), Black or African American (8.2%). The admission rate is 61.96%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1381. The 150%-time completion rate is 75.49%. Approximately 13.88% of students receive Pell Grants. About 15.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Washington, DC 20016-8001
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 120 distinct degree programs, American University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is American University located?
American University is located in Washington, DC.
What is American University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at American University is 62.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 17,786 applicants and 8,427 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does American University cost?
Reported tuition is $58,771 and average net price is $41,943 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,982 annually.
What is the student body demographics at American University?
American University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 8,674 students, White (56.0%), Hispanic or Latino (14.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend American University?
About 15.6% of students at American University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for American University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, American University reports midpoint SAT about 1381 and midpoint ACT about 31.
What do graduates of American University earn?
Median earnings are $61,328 six years after entry and $77,370 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at American University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 75.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do American University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,750.
Is American University public or private?
American University is a private nonprofit institution located in Washington, DC.
Is American University an HBCU?
No. American University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is American University a tribal college?
No. American University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- District of Columbia college profile
- District of Columbia college costs
- District of Columbia colleges by ROI
- Washington, District of Columbia city profile
- Mid East regional profile
- Urban (City) college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia college costs
- District of Columbia colleges by ROI
- Washington, District of Columbia city profile
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in District of Columbia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.