Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Washington, District Of Columbia |
| Online | american.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
American University occupies an 84-acre residential campus in the Spring Valley neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C., situated approximately four miles from the White House and other major federal institutions. Founded in 1893 under the auspices of the United Methodist Church, the university maintains a collegiate Gothic architectural style across many of its academic buildings and residence halls. The university operates as a private research institution with particular strengths in international relations, public policy, business, and communications through its eight schools and colleges. The School of International Service stands as one of the largest schools of international affairs in the United States, while the Washington College of Law offers comprehensive legal education programs. Most first- and second-year students reside in on-campus housing, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Eagles in the Patriot League.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
AU is rated within the top 19% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for American University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#93 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#82 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in District Of Columbia
#3 in Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia
#416 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#4 in Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1290/1430 |
| ACT | 29/32 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.7 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $819 |
| Room and Board | $15,706 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,308 |
| Total One Year Cost | $71,703 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 43% |
| Business | 14% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6% |
| Psychology | 3% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering AU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about American University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=131159 IPEDS survey data for American University.
Current students may use the American University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024