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American University
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 and set in a suburban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 47%. The freshman retention rate at American University is 86% and the six-year graduation rate is 78%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is May 1. The transfer application deadline is May 1.
Read more about what American University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
7,817
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
47%
Acceptance Rate
$57,952
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
78%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. What are the admission requirements for American University?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 8,427 in 2024. American University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, American University offers a unique educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 25.22% and ACT scores 11.48%. 38.92% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 54.69% between 1,200 and 1,399, 5.99% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 0.4% between 800 and 999. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 65.53, 31.06 between 24-29, 3.4 in the range between 18-23, and 0.33 between 12-17.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 689 and an average SAT Math score of 670.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by May 1. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is May 1.
47%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for American University was 86% in 2024, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 78%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right match for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution had an enrollment of 13,019 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 97.3. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 7,817, 502 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 148.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,837 male and 6,601 female full-time students in 2024. 1,210 full-time graduate men and 2,030 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at American University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 540, and the number of Black American students was 598. 972 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 432 identified with more than one race. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 225 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for American University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about American University estimated tuition fees.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $57,952 in 2024. As American University is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $819.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2024, the price of room and board at American University was $17,960 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 totaled $11,340 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $11,924.
| Tuition | $ 57,952 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,960 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 76,912 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at American University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 956 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $39,837 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
3,284 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 3,492. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $6,194,892, and state $80,973.
$13,379
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,507 students overall (including freshmen) at American University in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 404 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $38,090,030. 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
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at American University was 10:1: that means 10 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 1,662 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 839 men and 823 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at American University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at American University.
It has a campus size of 84 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 200. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Multiple Ethnic and religious organizations, followed by Amnesty International and Student government. Other popular student organizations at this school are Habitat for Humanity and Kennedy Political Union.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion 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. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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
At American University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
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 57,952 USD a year.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for American University is 47%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for American University is 86%.
Contact Information
American University,
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
20016-8001
202 885-1000
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.