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American University

Washington, DC · Private · Large city · Carnegie R1/R2

Private institution in Washington, DC · 7,593 undergraduates · 47% acceptance rate · $77,370 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price
$41,9451,937th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees
$56,5431,911th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees
$56,5431,909th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance
$71,5491,843rd cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt
$22,750972nd lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry
$77,370172nd highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$61,328224th highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year)
78.5%242nd highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention
86.2%382nd highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate
47.4%239th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT
1392104th highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT
3176th highest of 954 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates
7,593335th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio
10.0:1436th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share
12.7%2,013th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 6 mi (DCA)

On 4 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Applying

Common App member
Yes
Application fee
$75
Personal essay
Required
Writing supplement
No

Supplemental prompts (2025-26)

  • American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you’re excited.

Source: Aristotle Circle 2025-26 supplemental prompt roundup

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 44 reported programs.

FieldLevel1 yr2 yr
Computer Sciencebachelors$73,321$73,635
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBusinessbachelors$62,154$55,512
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusinessbachelors$53,202$48,725
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsEducationbachelors$51,690$49,136
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)Legal Professionsbachelors$50,606$42,728
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCommunicationsbachelors$48,725$48,432
EconomicsSocial Sciencesbachelors$47,650$47,494
Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciencesbachelors$47,260$45,655
Communication and Media StudiesCommunicationsbachelors$44,933$45,980
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMultidisciplinary Studiesbachelors$44,055$39,663
International Relations and National Security StudiesSocial Sciencesbachelors$43,039$42,469
Design and Applied ArtsVisual & Performing Artsbachelors$42,682—

Campus facts

Athletics — 8 sports

NCAA Division I without football · NCAA Division I

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $7,111,393 (M $2,758,227 · W $4,353,166)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport.

Notable alumni

Illustrative alumni only — not exhaustive and not a quality ranking. Affiliation claims cite Wikipedia/Wikidata; confirm on primary bios before relying on them.