Campus Identity
American University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Washington, DC. Approximately 7,266 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 62% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 59/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
At a Glance
American University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Washington, DC. Approximately 7,266 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 62% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 59/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Athletics
NCAA D1
Patriot League
Greek Life
Active Greek System
0% sororities
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
106 miles
Lewes, DE
Weather
Warm Climate
50°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Nearest Beach
Lewes, DE
Ocean access within 105.7 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Washington, DC
Station: DALECARLIA RESERVOIR · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $50,542 |
| Fees | $792 |
| Room & Board | $18,140 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $69,474 |
These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.
Calculate Your Net PriceFields of Study
163 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is American University located?
American University is located in Washington, DC. The main campus address is 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at American University?
American University has an acceptance rate of 62%, making it moderately selective. Out of 17,173 applicants, 10,640 were admitted in the most recent year. 7,266 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for American University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at American University scored between 29 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 31. About 8% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend American University?
For the 2023–24 academic year, American University charges $50,542/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,140/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $51,334/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use American University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for American University?
The undergraduate application fee at American University is $75. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does American University have college sports?
Yes — American University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Patriot League. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.
Is American University the right fit for me?
Whether American University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (62% admit rate), cost ($50,542/year out-of-state), campus culture in Washington, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh American University against similar schools side-by-side.
Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with American University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Patriot League
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 50°F avg
- App Fee
- $75
- On Campus Safety Score
- 59/100
- Nearest Airport
- Washington, DC (DCA) · 6 mialso ADW (15 mi), DAA (16 mi)
Location
Washington, DC