American University
Is This College Right for You?
See your chances →Key Facts
Acceptance Rates
SAT Range
GPA Range
Admissions Advantages
Application Rounds
Programs by Median Earnings (1 Year After Graduation)
Faculty & Research
418 faculty · 100 courses · data as of 2026-07-02
Faculty counts are directory headcounts; the named list may be a subset. h-index shown only for ORCID-backed or high-confidence OpenAlex matches. Partial — enrichment ongoing.
Demographics
Student Outcomes
About American University. American University in Washington, DC reports an overall acceptance rate of 61.9%, an early-round acceptance rate of 80.0%, an SAT middle 50% of 1290–1430, a class size of 1,761, and a yield of 22.0% based on the most recent Common Data Set filings. Private university in Washington DC with binding ED. ~80% ED acceptance rate. Strong international relations, public policy, and communications.
Admissions and cost data as of July 3, 2026 (CDS 2024–25 cycle), from the most recent Common Data Set, IPEDS, and College Scorecard.
American University: key admissions facts
American University's overall acceptance rate is 61.9% (the most recent Common Data Set). American University's early-round acceptance rate is 80.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). American University's SAT middle-50% range is 1290–1430 (the most recent Common Data Set). The average unweighted GPA of admitted students at American University is about 3.7 (the most recent Common Data Set). American University's yield rate (the share of admitted students who enroll) is 22.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). The average net price at American University for families earning under $75,000 is about $23,237 per year (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data).
Sources: Common Data Set (commondataset.org) · American University on College Scorecard · NCES IPEDS · full source table
How much does American University cost for a family earning $75,000?
A family earning under $30,000 pays about $23,233 per year in net price at American University, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $53,673 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $26,035 per year after grants and scholarships.
| Household income | Average net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | $23,233 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $20,444 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $26,035 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $30,063 |
| Over $110,000 | $53,673 |
| Tuition (before aid) | $60,270 |
| Room and board | $18,370 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at American University?
American University's overall acceptance rate is 61.9%, based on the most recent Common Data Set. Its early-round (early decision or early action) acceptance rate is 80.0%.
What SAT score and GPA do you need for American University?
Admitted students at American University typically have an SAT middle-50% range of 1290–1430 and an average unweighted GPA of about 3.7, according to the most recent Common Data Set. These are the middle of the range, so scores above them strengthen an application.
Is it hard to get into American University?
Getting into American University is moderately selective: it admits 61.9% of applicants. Your realistic odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to its middle-50% ranges and on your application round — you can estimate them with the free College Monte Carlo chances calculator.
Does American University offer early decision or early action?
American University offers early decision (binding) and early action (non-binding). Applying early can help: its early-round acceptance rate is 80.0%, versus 61.9% overall.
How much does American University cost after financial aid?
The average net price at American University — the real cost after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price — is about $23,237 per year for families earning under $75,000, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data. Higher-income families generally pay more; see the full net-price-by-income breakdown.
How much does American University cost for a family earning $75,000?
A family earning under $30,000 pays about $23,233 per year in net price at American University, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $53,673 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $26,035 per year after grants and scholarships.
Not sure how to read these numbers? Start with our guide on how to estimate your admission chances. American University offers a binding early-decision round, so weigh the trade-offs in our early decision vs. regular decision guide before committing.