American University School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
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This school is more affordable than other schools.
Affordability is calculated by subtracting average financial aid from total tuition and fees.
Learn more about how we determine school awards$49,889
Avg tuition
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About American University
American University is a private, nonprofit university located in Washington, D.C. The school enrolls more than 14,000 students annually. It features an admission rate of 36% and a graduation rate of 79%. AU students have access to nearly 250 programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Learners at AU can choose from many student clubs and organizations, activist groups, and athletics teams. Current and aspiring researchers can take advantage of the school's 50-plus research centers and institutes.
This school is more affordable than other schools.
Affordability is calculated by subtracting average financial aid from total tuition and fees.
Learn more about how we determine school awards$49,889
Avg tuition
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Search all programsRankings
Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
- #1 Ranked in Best Doctorate in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs
- #2 Ranked in Best Master's in Game and Media Design Programs
- #2 Ranked in Best Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs
- #6 Ranked in Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs
- #7 Ranked in Master's in Communication Degree Programs
- #8 Ranked in Best Public Relations and Image Management Programs
- #9 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Nutrition Programs
Admissions Breakdown
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.
Acceptance Rate Insight
36% of students were accepted during the 2019-2020 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
87% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2018 and returned in Fall 2019.
Graduation Rate Insight
79% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2013. 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.
Test scores Considered (not required)
High school rank Not required or recommended
High school GPA Required
Completion of college prep program Required
High school transcript Required
Letter of recommendation Required
Open admission No
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required
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 awardsSAT 25th-75th Percentile 1210-1390
ACT 25th-75th Percentile 27-31
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 awardsSAT 25th-75th Percentile 1210-1390
ACT 25th-75th Percentile 27-31
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 awards14k
Number of Students Enrolled
20%
Online Student Enrollment
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
48%
Non-U.S. Citizen
15%
Hispanic
10%
Black
9%
Unknown
8%
Asian
6%
Two or more races
4%
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
22
Total Online Enrollment
2,815
Percent of Programs Online
89% On-campus
11% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
Certificates
Associate
Bachelor's
Graduate Certificate
Master's
Doctorate
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
15%
State Grant Aid
3%
Institution Grant Aid
56%
Pell Grant
15%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$47k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
$24k
Average student debt after graduation
Explore Rankings
Online Master’s Degree Programs
Explore More Resources
How Does Online College Accreditation Work?Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2019-2020]. 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.