American University
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
About American University
School Type: Private
Religious Affiliation: United Methodist
Status: Non-profit
Military Friendly: No
Accreditation: regional
American University is a medium-sized private university located on a suburban campus in Washington, District of Columbia. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,817, and admissions are very selective, with an acceptance rate of 47%. The university offers 64 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 78%, and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. Tuition and fees for students are $53,070.
Rankings
Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
- #1 Ranked in The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
- #1 Ranked in Best Doctorate in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs
- #2 Ranked in Best Master's in Game and Media Design Programs
- #3 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Public Policy and Public Affairs Programs of 2022
- #3 Ranked in Best Online Master's Degrees in Public Policy and Public Affairs
- #7 Ranked in Master's in Communication Degree Programs
- #8 Ranked in Best Public Relations and Image Management Programs
Admissions Breakdown
Retention Rate Insight
86% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2020 and returned in Fall 2021.
Graduation Rate Insight
78% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2015. 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 scoresNot required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High school transcriptRequired
High school rankNot considered for admission, even if submitted
Letter of recommendationRecommended
High school GPARequired to be considered for admission
Open admissionNo
Completion of college prep programRecommended
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)Required to be considered for admission
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollmentYes
Credit for qualified life experience*Implied no
Advance placement (AP) creditsYes
*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
ACT 25th-75th Percentile29-32
SAT 25th-75th Percentile1290-1420
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
14k
Students enrolled
31%
Online student enrollment
10:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
33%
Unknown
2%
Black
5%
Hispanic
7%
Two or more races
3%
Non-U.S. Citizen
4%
Asian
4%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Socio-economic diversity
15% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Explore Similar Schools
Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
Yes
Online Programs
27
Total Online Enrollment
4,023
Student Location Breakout
Bar graph visual depicting student location breakout percentages.31% online, 69% on-campus.
Percent of Programs Online
87% On-campus
14% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
Certificates9% online
AssociateNot offered
Bachelor's2% online
Graduate Certificate16% online
Master's25% online
Doctorate7% online
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $59,784 | $59,784 |
| Graduate | $54,672 | $54,672 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2021–2022 academic year.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| On-campus room and board | $17,758 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,600 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $81,342 | $81,342 |
| Off-campus without family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
| Off-campus with family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
15%
State Grant Aid
1%
Institution Grant Aid
65%
Pell Grant
15%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$23k
Average student debtafter graduation
$47k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FCS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- All Track Combined
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Swimming Diving
- Wrestling
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Volleyball
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2021-2022 academic year.
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies. | |||
| 2 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences. | |||
| 3 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. | |||
| 4 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs. | |||
| 5 | Communications Technologies/Technicians And Support Services. | |||
| 6 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services. | |||
| 7 | Education. | |||
| 8 | English Language And Literature/Letters. | |||
| 9 | Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences. | |||
| 10 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. | |||
| 11 | Health Professions And Related Programs. | |||
| 12 | History. | |||
| 13 | Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services. | |||
| 14 | Legal Professions And Studies. | |||
| 15 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities. | |||
| 16 | Mathematics And Statistics. | |||
| 17 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. | |||
| 18 | Natural Resources And Conservation. | |||
| 19 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology. | |||
| 20 | Philosophy And Religious Studies. | |||
| 21 | Physical Sciences. | |||
| 22 | Psychology. | |||
| 23 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions. | |||
| 24 | Social Sciences. | |||
| 25 | Visual And Performing Arts. |
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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2021-2022]. 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.