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.
Located in Washington, DC and set in a suburban environment, American University is a private university. Its campus is 84 acres in size. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 40%. The freshman retention rate at American University is 86.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 79%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is May 1.
Learn more about what American University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
7,917
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
40%
Acceptance Rate
$56,606
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
79%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Here are the most important data you have to know about admission at American University.
In 2023, the school accepted 7,926 new students. American University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose 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. This eminent institution with a rich history offers an unmatched learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 27% and ACT scores 17%. 36.6% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 56.63% between 1,200 and 1,399, 5.68% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.05% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 69.31, 27.72 between 24-29, 2.64 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 January 15. If you are applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is May 1.
40%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for American University was 86.3% in 2023, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs 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. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 79%, 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 comprehend the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at American University in 2023 was 13,885.
That year, the institution had 81% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 7,917, 682 of which were foreign students. 26 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,946 male and 6,894 female full-time students in 2023. There were 1,210 full-time graduate male and 2,030 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. An inclusive 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 517 Asian students and 583 Afro-American students in 2023. 930 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 412 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 244 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. 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 price.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $56,606 in 2023. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $819 in 2023.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated expense of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $800.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2023, room and board cost at American University amounted to $16,482 a year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 amounted to $10,910 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,910.
| Tuition | $ 56,606 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,482 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 73,888 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at American University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 820 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $37,921 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
3,031 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,276. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $5,391,864, and state $80,795.
$13,293
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. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,339 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2023. 381 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $34,914,454. 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
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at American University was 11:1: that means 11 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 1,588 faculty members at this school. This number included 798 male and 790 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about campus life at American University.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 200. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Multiple Ethnic and religious organizations, followed by Amnesty International and Student government. Other popular organizations at American University are Habitat for Humanity and Kennedy Political Union.
In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining. For students interested in 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 comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has 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 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 highly beneficial 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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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for American University is 56,606 USD, based on the most recent data.
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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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for American University is 40%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for American University is 86.3%.
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.