Top Colleges

  • University Of Maryland Global Campus
  • Liberty University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Western Governors University
  • University Of Phoenix
  • View All Online Colleges

Degree Types

  • Associates
  • Bachelors
  • Masters
  • International Students
  • View all Online Degrees

Lifestyle

  • Career Advancement
  • Working Professional

Top Majors

  • Nursing
  • Cyber Security
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Finance
  • View all Majors

Studying Abroad

  • U.S. Students Studying Abroad
  • 2025 Study Abroad Costs
  • Applying To College Abroad
  • Advice & Preparation
  • View all international content

Studying in U.S.

  • Guide To Studying In The USA
  • Getting A Student Visa
Colleges
🎓
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA
Scholarships
💰
STEM Excellence Scholarship$$5,000
Majors
📘
Computer Science
Browse Colleges
Browse Colleges

Content

  • Scholarships
  • Colleges
  • International Students
  • Online Education
  • Majors
  • Degrees

Resources

  • Articles

Company & Legal

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • AI Disclaimer

© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. American University

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$41k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$63k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
American University is a private university located in Washington, DC, founded in 1893. Known for its strong programs in international relations and political science, it has a prestigious reputation nationally for producing graduates who excel in government, advocacy, and diplomacy. The campus is situated in a picturesque setting with a mix of historic and modern buildings.

Pros

  • Strong academic programs

  • Diverse student body

  • Location in Washington D.C.

  • Focus on global and social issues

Cons

  • Higher cost of tuition

  • Competitive admission process

  • Limited campus space

  • Urban setting may be overwhelming

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at American University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at American University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at American University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at American University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$56,543$226,172
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$17,012$68,048
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at American University
 
$1,000$4,000
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at American University) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$1,620$9,616
Sticker Price$76,175$307,836

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $1,554 per year over the next three years, reaching $57,563 in 2024, and $59,117 in 2025, and $60,671 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

American University admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 41%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
41%Admission Rate
79%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
1290 - 1430
ACT Range29 - 32
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
TechnicianBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
HistoryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Political Science•Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
Real EstateMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
LinguisticsUndergraduate Certificate, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Bilingual/Multilingual •Master's Degree
Romance Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree
Middle East•Bachelor's Degree
HealthBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Nutrition•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Adminstrative Services•Master's Degree
Health Preparation•Doctoral Degree – Other
LawDoctoral Degree – Professional
⌄
Legal Studies•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
LiteratureBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Liberal ArtsAssociate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree
BiologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology•Bachelor's Degree
Biomathematics•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
MathematicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Applied Mathematics•Bachelor's Degree
Statistics•Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Homeland Security•Master's Degree
Peace & Conflict ResolutionMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
AccountingBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
ChemistryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
PhysicsBachelor's Degree
AnthropologyUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
SociologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
BusinessBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Finance•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Human Resource Management•Master's Degree
International Business•Doctoral Degree – Other
Marketing•Master's Degree
Taxation•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
EntrepreneurshipDoctoral Degree – Other
ManagementMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment1,856
Full-time Students1,848
Part-time Students8

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:11:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about American University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.2)
Niche
(3.6)
US News
(4.4)

Other Colleges

University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus

DC
Explore further

Georgetown University

DC
Explore further

Gallaudet University

DC
Explore further

University of the District of Columbia

DC
Explore further

George Washington University

DC
Explore further

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
911
American University stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

American University

Private
Washington, DC
City