Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
American University is a private national university located in Washington, District of Columbia. American University is moderately inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at American University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $71,933 10 years after enrolling, 3rd in District of Columbia, and in the top 10% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, American University bachelor students earn 18% more than the national average. American University is ranked 4th in District of Columbia.
American University’s median net annual cost of $40,088 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at American University sorted by number of graduates - International Relations, Business Administration, Poli Sci/Government, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Advertising & PR, Criminal Justice - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$40,088
Average years to graduate
4.1
Accounting
Rank: #175
Economic score: 2.19
Computer Science
Rank: #249
Economic score: 3.87
Finance
Rank: #293
Economic score: 4.11
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #154
Economic score: 4.15
FIlm, Video & Photography
Rank: #12
Economic score: 4.96
History
Rank: #154
Economic score: 5.64
Public Health
Rank: #70
Economic score: 5.66
Economics
Rank: #289
Economic score: 5.76
Journalism
Rank: #91
Economic score: 6.91
Psychology
Rank: #452
Economic score: 8.92
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at American University - International Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration, Educ. Administration, Accounting, Legal Research - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Economics
Rank: #12
Economic score: 0.53
Natural Resource Conservation
Rank: #14
Economic score: 0.56
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #20
Economic score: 0.6
Quantitative methods Mgmt.
Rank: #42
Economic score: 0.63
Peace & Conflict RES
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.78
Public Policy Analysis
Rank: #21
Economic score: 0.8
Finance
Rank: #43
Economic score: 0.81
Homeland Security
Rank: #12
Economic score: 0.86
Food & Nutrition
Rank: #12
Economic score: 1.02
Journalism
Rank: #24
Economic score: 2.09
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 79% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at American University is 14% higher than the state average, and 12% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At American University, Pell Grant recipients represent 14% of the measured graduating class, 21% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at American University graduates within 4.1 years.
American University is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
American University’s economic mobility score of 11.3 is calculated by adjusting the 1.77 economic score of lower-income students by the 14% pell grant recipients within the student body. American University’s EMS of 11.3 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at American University pays $40,088 a year, $29,278 less than the $69,366 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $40,088
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At American University, 64% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $40,088 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 39% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,689. This is 15% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,933
Pell grants
$4,948
State grants
$884
Institutional grants
$29,078
American University's moderately inclusive admissions are indicated by their 64% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 19,650 applicants, of which 12,594 were admitted and 2,372 enrolled. American University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
98%
83%
Female
66%
59%
First time
81%
59%
In-state
2%
68%
1st generation
16%
35%
White
53%
52%
Black
8%
14%
Hispanic
12%
15%
Asian
7%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
20%
12%