American Rankings and Evaluation
National Universities
#57 in National Universities
District of Columbia Colleges
#3 in District of Columbia Colleges
American University is ranked 57th in National Universities and 3rd in District of Columbia Colleges.
The following statements evaluate American University by comparing key academic facts to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
- Its tuition & fees of $58,771 is very expensive compared to similar schools.
- The acceptance rate (62%) is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in).
- The SAT & ACT scores (1,370 SAT, 31 ACT) is around average.
- It has very large number of students of 12,321.
- The financial aid amount ($33,548) is lower.
- It offers very diverse area of study (209 programs).
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of American are $58,771 and it is very expensive compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University $58,771
All U.S. Colleges $17,692
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges $26,737
4-Years Colleges $22,926
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia $32,011
Graduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of American are $36,754 and it is average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University $36,754
All U.S. Colleges $18,842
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges $18,688
4-Years Colleges $18,848
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia $27,977
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of American is 62% and it is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 62%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 66%
4-Years Colleges 68%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 53%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of American is 16% and the yield is much lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 16%
All U.S. Colleges 37%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 35%
4-Years Colleges 35%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 33%
SAT Scores
The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at American is 1,370 and it is around average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 1,370
All U.S. Colleges 1,123
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 1,132
4-Years Colleges 1,124
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 1,252
ACT Scores
The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at American is 31 and it is lower compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 31
All U.S. Colleges 68
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 69
4-Years Colleges 68
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 80
Graduation Rate
The average graduation rate at American is 75% and it is average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 75%
All U.S. Colleges 56%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 56%
4-Years Colleges 51%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 69%
Retention Rate
The average retention rate at American is 88% and it is average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 88%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 74%
4-Years Colleges 73%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 84%
Student Population
The total student population at American is 12,321 and its population very large compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 12,321
All U.S. Colleges 2,931
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 2,477
4-Years Colleges 4,686
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 6,265
Financial Aid Amount
The average amount of financial aid received at American is $33,548 which is 57.08% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is lower compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University $33,548
All U.S. Colleges $7,676
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges $16,488
4-Years Colleges $12,161
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia $24,802
Student to Faculty Ratio
The students to faculty ratio at American is 10 to 1 and the ratio is average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 10 to 1
All U.S. Colleges 15 to 1
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 12 to 1
4-Years Colleges 14 to 1
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 10 to 1
Number of Programs
American offers 209 programs and it means very diverse area of study compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.
American University 209
All U.S. Colleges 37
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 45
4-Years Colleges 58
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia 108
Number of Online Programs
American offers 15 online programs and it means few online programs compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in District of Columbia.