American University
American University is a private nonprofit university in Washington, DC, with about 11,897 students on campus and 1,122 more studying only online.
The short version on American University
A higher price after aid than almost any college
The average family on federal aid pays $41,943 a year after grants, more than at 97% of 4-year colleges. What it costs ↓
American University’s graduates are among the best paid in the country
Former students earn a median $77,370 ten years after starting, more than at 95% of U.S. colleges. Outcomes ↓
What you study here makes a big difference to pay
Among American University’s biggest bachelor’s programs, finance and financial management services graduates earn a median $134,332 four years out. Film/video and photographic arts graduates earn $52,661. Majors ↓
Lower-income families pay more here than at most colleges
Families earning under $30,000 still pay about $23,233 a year after grants. What it costs ↓
This summary is written from the data on this page. Figures are from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard; price, graduation and earnings include online students.
The sticker price, and what families really pay
Sticker price: $76,058 a year
Before any grants
After grants, the average family on aid pays $41,943.
Your family’s price
Average net price after grants, by family income
About $104,140 over 4 years · 66% off the sticker price
How hard is it to get into American University?
of applicants admitted
About 12 of every 20 applicants get in.
Test scores of admitted students
The middle 50%: a quarter scored below the range and a quarter above it. Average SAT: 1381.
Do students finish, and does it pay off?
Debt vs. the paycheck
The typical loan payment as a share of a typical graduate’s monthly pay six years after starting
$241 a month against about $5,111 a month in pay.
Paying back loans
Federal student loans, this college
of borrowers paid down at least some of their loan within three years, more than at 94% of U.S. colleges.
Almost none defaulted within three years (payments on federal loans were paused from 2020 to 2023, so recent default rates are near zero everywhere).
Earnings by family background
Median earnings 10 years after starting, by family income at enrollment
What students study, and what it pays
Share of degrees by field
Bachelor’s programs with the most graduates
And their graduates’ median earnings four years later (one year where that’s all that’s reported).
The students
7,266 degree-seeking undergraduates.
By race and ethnicity
Women and men
Living in Washington
9% of Washington’s 693,645 residents are enrolled in college. What the town is like, from TownRatings’ Washington pages.
Other colleges within 30 miles
Straight-line distances from American University; colleges with 100 or more students on campus.
Ask around
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (institution and field-of-study files) and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023); town figures from the Census American Community Survey and NOAA climate normals. Graduation rates count first-time, full-time students; earnings and debt are for students who received federal aid. Distances are straight-line. Colleges are described, not graded (how TownRatings describes colleges). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.