American University
Washington, District of Columbia · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$41,943
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
75.5%
Admission rate
62%
Undergrad size
7,266
In-state tuition
$58,771
Out-of-state tuition
$58,771
Cost of attendance
$76,058
Median earnings (10y)
$77,370
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,381
- ACT midpoint
- 31
- Retention
- 88.2%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
21 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (43%), humanities & arts (26%), business (13%).
- STEM9%
- Health3%
- Business13%
- Humanities & arts26%
- Social sciences43%
- Trades & services6%
- Social sciences35.6%~2,586 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Business13.4%~972 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- ~675 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Communication7.2%~525 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~389 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~334 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology3.6%~264 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~227 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~220 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~154 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~136 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Computer science1.6%~118 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Legal1.6%~113 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics1.4%~99 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.4%~99 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English1.3%~92 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~88 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Education1.0%~70 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~52 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~33 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~22 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Master's | 835 | $59,460 | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor's | 769 | $41,948 | $23,250 |
| Law. | First professional | 637 | $60,267 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 511 | $50,809 | $24,697 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 408 | $45,217 | $23,250 |
| Public Administration. | Master's | 375 | $69,734 | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master's | 252 | $48,710 | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 239 | $45,098 | $26,442 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor's | 235 | $44,939 | $23,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 228 | $61,023 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 190 | $39,002 | $23,250 |
| Homeland Security. | Master's | 168 | $58,107 | — |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Master's | 168 | $59,308 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 164 | $89,205 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master's | 159 | $87,167 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Master's | 143 | $59,305 | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 143 | $35,226 | $23,799 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 142 | $48,661 | $22,625 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 141 | $36,775 | $23,452 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 140 | $64,161 | $22,625 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 108 | $40,534 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Undergraduate certificate | 106 | — | $22,673 |
| Economics. | Master's | 99 | $62,457 | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 98 | $28,838 | $23,250 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master's | 89 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Undergraduate certificate | 87 | — | $23,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master's | 85 | $53,337 | — |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. | Master's | 84 | $49,550 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 80 | — | — |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. | Master's | 77 | $50,964 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 71 | $58,228 | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | Undergraduate certificate | 71 | — | $24,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master's | 70 | $42,901 | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Master's | 67 | $51,147 | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master's | 66 | — | — |
| Philosophy. | Master's | 62 | $41,396 | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies. | Bachelor's | 61 | $44,628 | $24,375 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 59 | — | $26,905 |
| History. | Master's | 57 | $39,634 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 54 | $42,806 | $22,611 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About American University
American University is a large institution located in Washington, District of Columbia, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 7,266 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Social sciences, Business, Interdisciplinary.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at American University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $41,943 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $58,771 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $76,058 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 75.5%, a strong completion outcome. 88.2% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $77,370 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
American University confers degrees and certificates across 21 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Social sciences, Business, Interdisciplinary. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (43% of credentials), humanities & arts (26% of credentials), business (13% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
American University accepts 62% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,381. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 31.
Location & campus
Set in Washington, District of Columbia (city), American University draws students from across District of Columbia and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about American University
Q.How much does American University cost?
The average net price at American University is $41,943 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $76,058.
Q.What is the graduation rate at American University?
American University has a 6-year graduation rate of 75.5% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into American University?
American University admits 62% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do American University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median American University graduate earns $77,370 per year.
Q.What is tuition at American University?
Published tuition is $58,771 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is American University located?
American University is located in Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20016).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with American University at their official website.