American University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Washington, DC

$50,542

Avg tuition

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About American University

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: Christian, United Methodist  While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Military Friendly: YesMilitary-friendly schools are Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, offer the Yellow Ribbon Program, and have a dedicated point of contact to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Explore our college guide for service members and veterans to learn more.

American University is a medium-sized private university located on an urban campus in Washington, District of Columbia. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,953, and admissions are very selective, with an acceptance rate of 39%. The university offers 60 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 79%, and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Tuition and fees for students are $50,542.

BestColleges.com

Rankings

Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

39% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

85% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

79% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Not required or recommended

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 27-32

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1220-1390

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of between 5,000 and 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

14k

Students enrolled

33%

Online student enrollment

11:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

48%

Non-U.S. Citizen

13%

Hispanic

11%

Black

10%

Unknown

7%

Asian

6%

Two or more races

5%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

62%

Socio-economic diversity

15% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

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Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

23

Total Online Enrollment

4,609

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

88% On-campus

12% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates Check Bold 11% online

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's X Bold Not offered

Graduate Certificate Check Bold 17% online

Master's Check Bold 21% online

Doctorate Check Bold 8% online

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $50,542 $50,542
Graduate $34,533 $34,533

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $800
On-campus room and board $16,196
On-campus other expenses $1,009
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $16,129
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $1,009
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $1,709

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $68,547 $68,547
Off-campus without family $68,480 $68,480
Off-campus with family $53,051 $53,051

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

15%

State Grant Aid

2%

Institution Grant Aid

53%

Pell Grant

15%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $4,927
State Grant Aid $611
Institution Grant Aid $29,819
Pell Grant Aid $4,065

Financial Outlook

$24k

Average student debt after graduation

$47k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I without football

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Field Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Swimming Diving
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • All Track Combined

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

2

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

3

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

4

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

5

Communications Technologies/Technicians And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

6

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

7

Education

BA

MA

DOC

8

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

9

Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

10

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

11

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

12

History

BA

MA

DOC

13

Legal Professions And Studies

BA

MA

DOC

14

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

15

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

16

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC

17

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

BA

MA

DOC

18

Philosophy And Religious Studies

BA

MA

DOC

19

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

20

Psychology

BA

MA

DOC

21

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

BA

MA

DOC

22

Security And Protective Services

BA

MA

DOC

23

Social Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

24

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC

Resource

Financial Aid Overview

Resource

Understanding Grants & Scholarships

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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2020-2021]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.