AU Admission Requirements

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AU Admission Overview

AU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year AU admitted 62% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1280-1460 / ACT 29-32. AU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.american.edu/admissions/first-year/test-optional.cfm

AU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

62%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The AU acceptance rate is 62%. Last year, 10,640 of 17,173 applicants were admitted. That is the 5th lowest acceptance rate in District Of Columbia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into AU and can you get accepted?

AU is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

16% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.7*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

AU has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. AU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*3.7 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

AU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

American University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You may apply through Early Action, Early Decision I or II, or Regular Decision without SAT or ACT scores, and skipping scores does not affect merit awards or admission to the AU Honors Program. U.S. applicants who do not want scores considered should select that option on the Common Application or Coalition Application. Students graduating from a secondary school outside the United States are not required to submit the SAT or ACT. Applicants who include scores may self-report them and must send official reports if they enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.american.edu/admissions/first-year/test-optional.cfm

AU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1280-1460

Freshmen who sent SAT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 660
Math 620
Composite 1280

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 720
Composite 1460

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at AU typically score around a 1370 SAT (middle 50% 1280–1460) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 94th percentile nationally. AU ranks #3 in District Of Columbia and #126 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1280 to 1460

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

AU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1370 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at American University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1460+	Above 75th	>76%
1370 to 1460	Avg +	62%-76%
1280 to 1370	Avg -	46%-62%
Below 1280	Below mid-50	<46%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

29-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 28
Math 25
Composite 29

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 29
Composite 32

Average ACT

Incoming testers at AU typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 29–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. AU places #3 among colleges in District Of Columbia and #130 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to AU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at American University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
32+	Above 75th	>79%
30 to 32	Avg +	62%-79%
29 to 30	Avg -	52%-62%
Below 29	Below mid-50	<52%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the AU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

American University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	11,162	6,004	17,173
Accepted	6,950	3,684	10,640
Acceptance Rate	62%	61%	62%
Enrolled	1,003	659	1,662
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	14%	18%	16%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to American University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

American University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to American University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at American University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

AU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 62% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1280-1460); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025