American University

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · 4-year

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Sources and reporting periods

Reporting periods: Admission counts and rate: IPEDS Admissions component, fall 2023 entering class. Graduation rate: IPEDS Graduation Rates component, six-year cohort. Score, cost, aid and earnings fields: historical imports without a retained reporting year. Source-check dates on policy notes do not date the statistical fields.

Federal sources: NCES IPEDS and College Scorecard. Covered cohorts differ; a net-price average is not an individual aid offer. Definitions, coverage and limitations.

Compiled by Admit Coach / GPTKIDS LLC using automated data processing and source checks. Report a correction with the institution ID, field and official source link.

Testing policy

Stored testing policy: test-optional. Current-cycle policy has not been verified. Check the university's official first-year admission requirements, applicant type, intended major and scholarship conditions before deciding which scores to send.

No current testing-policy source review is available for this campus.

Application deadlines · countdown

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Working backwards from the first application deadline: ask for recommendations by Sep 6 (start now), first essay draft by Sep 20 (start now), lock final essay by Oct 18, submit by Oct 29.

Recorded from the college's website, mostly during the previous application cycle, and shown on this year's calendar; confirm on the official admissions and aid pages. Save this college and the dates join your plan and Sunday note.

American University reported a 47.4% acceptance rate for the fall 2023 entering class. American University is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Washington, DC, with an SAT reference of 1370 and an ACT reference of 31. The historical average net price is $41,943 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Reporting years vary by field; historical averages describe past cohorts. Review data limitations.

Admissions Statistics

Acceptance Rate

47.4%

17,786 applicants

SAT reference

1370

Combined score

ACT reference

31

Composite score

Avg Net Price

$41,943

After financial aid

SAT & ACT Scores at American University

Historical score references from imported federal records for enrolled first-year score submitters. The SAT total references are a sum of section values, not observed total-score percentiles. The reference midpoint column is not a verified median, and none of these values is an admission cutoff. Reporting years are unavailable for these fields.

Test25th percentileReference midpoint75th percentile
SAT (total, 400–1600)130013701460
ACT (composite, 1–36)293133

Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate

77.0%

Six-year rate, IPEDS cohort

Retention Rate

88.2%

Median Earnings (10yr)

N/A

Student Body

7,266

Net Price by Family Income

Historical averages for the source's covered student cohorts at American University, not personal aid offers. Residency and eligibility matter; reporting years are unavailable for these imported fields.

Family IncomeAvg Net Price/Year
$0 – $30,000$23,233
$30,001 – $48,000$20,444
$48,001 – $75,000$26,035
$75,001 – $110,000$30,063
$110,000+$53,673

Top Majors at American University

MajorDegrees Awarded
Social Sciences653
Business, Management & Marketing265
Communication & Journalism143
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies109
Homeland Security & Criminal Justice106
Visual & Performing Arts91
Psychology72
Health Professions61
Biological & Biomedical Sciences60
Natural Resources & Conservation37

Financial Aid at American University

About American University

Official website: https://www.american.edu/

Admissions: https://www.american.edu/admissions/

Frequently Asked Questions About American University

What is the acceptance rate at American University?

American University reported a 47% acceptance rate to IPEDS for the fall 2023 entering class. the reported applicant count is about 17,786. It describes a past campus applicant pool, not an individual admission probability or admission to a particular major.

How hard is it to get into American University?

The historical 47% acceptance rate suggests American University was moderately selective. Selectivity can differ by year, major, residency and applicant type. Admit Coach's reach, target and safety labels are heuristic research aids, not validated personal probabilities or admission guarantees.

What SAT or ACT scores do you need for American University?

The imported historical records for American University include an SAT reference value of 1370 and an ACT reference value of 31. Reference values may be derived from reported score ranges; they are not verified medians or required cutoffs. Federal score ranges describe enrolled first-year students who submitted scores. Verify current testing requirements on the college's official admissions page.

How much does it cost to attend American University?

The stored historical average net price at American University is $41,943 per year after grants and scholarships for the source's covered cohort. the stored share receiving aid is about 82%; the stored average grant or scholarship is $31,402 per year. Reporting years and populations may differ. This is not your aid offer; public-college averages may cover in-state students. Use the official net-price calculator with your household details.

What is the graduation rate at American University?

The six-year graduation rate reported to IPEDS for American University is 77%. its stored first-year retention rate is 88%. These measures describe past source cohorts, not the current student body, and do not predict an individual student's outcomes.

Is American University test-optional?

Stored testing policy: test-optional. Current-cycle policy has not been verified. Check the university's official first-year admission requirements, applicant type, intended major and scholarship conditions before deciding which scores to send.

When is the application deadline for American University?

American University's recorded application deadlines, shown on this cycle's calendar, are Early Decision on November 1, 2026, Early Action on November 1, 2026, Regular Decision on January 15, 2027. Aid deadlines: FAFSA June 30. These were recorded from the college's website, mostly during the previous application cycle, and dates can change; confirm on American University's official admissions page. Admit Coach's Deadline Radar counts down to each date and adds them to your calendar.

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