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Washington , DC
American University is a private research university located in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1893, it has emerged as one of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines such as arts and sciences, business, communication, international service, and public affairs.
Known for its vibrant and politically active campus, American University attracts students with a strong interest in politics, international relations, and social justice. The location in the nation's capital offers countless opportunities for students to engage in internships, research projects, and community service, providing them with valuable real-world experiences. Moreover, the university's impressive faculty includes renowned scholars, activists, and practitioners who are committed to fostering critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility.
American University also boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, libraries, laboratories, and a stunning campus situated in the Tenleytown neighborhood of D.C. The university's commitment to sustainability is evident through its LEED-certified buildings, campus-wide recycling initiatives, and sustainable practices. Additionally, American University promotes a vibrant and inclusive campus culture, offering a range of extracurricular activities and student organizations for students to explore their passions, build lifelong friendships, and develop leadership skills.
In summary, American University provides a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment for students to pursue their academic and professional goals. With its location in the heart of Washington, D.C., rigorous academic programs, and dedication to social justice, the university equips students with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to make a positive impact in their respective fields and the world at large.
American University is a private university located in Washington, DC. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 61%. The freshman retention rate at American University is 88.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 75%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. Discover more about what you can expect if you get into American University.
Quick Facts
7,476
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$60,270
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
75%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Here are the most relevant data you should know about admission policy and requirements at American University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,613 in 2025. American University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.
Test Scores
22% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 8% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 41.55% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 55.4% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 3.05% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 69.83, 29.61 between 24-29 and 0.56 in the range between 18-23.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for American University was 88.2%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at American University in 2025 was 12,321.
That year, the institution had 97% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 7,476 undergraduate students, including 382 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 119.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,805 male and 6,331 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 539 Asian students and 597 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,014 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 428 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 232 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at American University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at American University? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $60,270 in 2025. As this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $1,450 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At American University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $21,060. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school totaled $14,730, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $16,514.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 60,270 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,060 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 82,530 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at American University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 793 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $42,738.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
3,118 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,302. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $8,108,989, and state $67,342.
$13,691
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,526 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 437 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $43,180,755. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at American University was 12:1. That means that there were 12 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 1,444 teachers at this school. This number included 734 men and 710 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at American University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about campus life at American University.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 200. That includes sororities and fraternities. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? American University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At American University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of American University.
All in all, campus life at American University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at American University.
Career Counselling
There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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American University is located in Washington, DC.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for American University is 60,270 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for American University is 61%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for American University is 88.2%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.