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IPEDS ID: 131159
OPE ID: 00143400
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American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20016-8001
General information:  (202) 885-1000
Website:  www.american.edu
Type:  4-year, Private not-for-profit
Awards offered:  Less than one year certificate
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Campus setting:  City: Large
Campus housing:  Yes
Student population:  12,724 (7,212 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio:  12 to 1
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open-close General Information
Admissionswww.american.edu/admissions/
Apply Onlinewww.american.edu/admissions/apply.cfm
Financial Aidwww.american.edu/financialaid/
Net Price Calculatorwww.american.edu/financialaid/Net-Price-Calculator-Form.cfm
Mission Statement
  www.american.edu/president/statement-of-common-purpose.cfm
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral/Research Universities
Religious Affiliation
United Methodist
Federal Aid
Eligible students may receive Pell Grants and other federal aid (e.g. Direct Loans).
Undergraduate students enrolled who are formally registered with office of disability services
Disability Support Services: http://www.american.edu/ocl/dss/index.cfm Academic Support Center: http://www.american.edu/ocl/asc/index.cfm
Special Learning Opportunities
ROTC (Army, Air Force)
Teacher certification
Distance education opportunities - undergraduate level
Distance education opportunities - graduate level
Study abroad
Weekend/evening college
Student Services
Remedial services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
On-campus day care for students' children
Credit Accepted
Dual credit
Advanced placement (AP) credits
Faculty and graduate assistants by primary function, Fall 2011Full timePart time
Total faculty732565
Instructional721565
Research and public service110
Total graduate assistants-488
Instructional-488
Research and public service-0
open-close Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Student Expenses
Estimated Expenses for Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Estimated expenses for academic year2009-20102010-20112011-20122012-2013% change 2011-2012 to 2012-2013
Tuition and fees$34,973$36,697$38,071$39,4993.8%
Books and supplies$600$600$800$8000.0%
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$12,930$13,468$13,648$13,9202.0%
Other$1,300$1,300$1,134$1,1340.0%
Off Campus
Room and board$12,930$13,468$13,648$13,9202.0%
Other$1,300$1,300$1,134$1,1340.0%
Off Campus with Family
Other$2,000$2,000$1,834$1,8340.0%
Total Expenses2009-20102010-20112011-20122012-2013% change 2011-2012 to 2012-2013
On Campus$49,803$52,065$53,653$55,3533.2%
Off Campus$49,803$52,065$53,653$55,3533.2%
Off Campus with Family$37,573$39,297$40,705$42,1333.5%
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This calculator uses estimated student expenses data to estimate the total tuition and fees charged over the duration of a typical 4-year program at this school.
1. Select starting academic year
2. Select tuition inflation rate
 
 
% (0-100 allowed)
  • This school has a tuition prepayment plan which may reduce the total estimated tuition and fees over the duration of a program. For further details please contact the institution.
  • The output is only an estimate and not a guarantee of the actual amount the student may be charged; it is not binding on the Secretary, the institution of higher education, or the State; and it may change, subject to the availability of financial assistance, State appropriations, and other factors. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
  • The estimated price does not include room and board, books and supplies, &c. (where applicable) and is based on previous years' tuition and fees data. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Estimated yearly tuition and fees may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Estimate the total tuition and fee costs over the duration of a typical program.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Average graduate student tuition and fees for academic year2012-2013
Tuition$25,182
Fees$430
Alternative Tuition Plans
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition planX
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
open-close Financial Aid
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2010-2011
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Type of AidNumber receiving aidPercent receiving aidTotal amount of aid receivedAverage amount of aid received
Any student financial aid11,20580%————
Grant or scholarship aid1,09573%$22,474,660$20,525
Federal grants23416%$1,275,737$5,452
Pell grants23115%$937,112$4,057
Other federal grants21815%$338,625$1,553
State/local government grant or scholarships594%$38,648$655
Institutional grants or scholarships1,07071%$21,160,275$19,776
Student loan aid84156%$6,883,091$8,184
Federal student loans83656%$4,930,153$5,897
Other student loans1007%$1,952,938$19,529
  • 1 Includes students receiving Federal work study aid and aid from other sources not listed above.
All Undergraduate Students
Type of AidNumber receiving aidPercent receiving aidTotal amount of aid receivedAverage amount of aid received
Grant or scholarship aid14,30961%$74,931,644$17,390
Pell grants1,01614%$4,086,528$4,022
Federal student loans3,34847%$22,725,184$6,788
  • 1 Grant or scholarship aid includes aid received, from the federal government, state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.

  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
open-close Net Price
Average Net Price for Full-Time Beginning Students
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.
2008-20092009-20102010-2011
Average net price$29,423$28,294$31,447
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded Title IV aid by income.
Average net price by Income2008-20092009-20102010-2011
$0 – $30,000$32,461$21,321$27,022
$30,001 – $48,000$34,398$21,562$27,345
$48,001 – $75,000$38,886$27,606$29,943
$75,001 – $110,000$41,353$32,433$34,388
$110,001 and more$42,267$36,121$37,928
  • Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees, books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
  • Title IV aid to students includes grant aid, work study aid, and loan aid. These include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Subsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan, and Unsubsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan. For those Title IV recipients, net price is reported by income category and includes students who received federal aid even if none of that aid was provided in the form of grants. While Title IV status defines the cohort of student for which the data are reported, the definition of net price remains the same – total cost of attendance minus grant aid.
Net Price Calculator
An institution’s net price calculator allows current and prospective students, families, and other consumers to estimate the net price of attending that institution for a particular student.
Visit this institution's net price calculator
open-close Enrollment
Fall 2011
Total enrollment12,724
Undergraduate enrollment7,212
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment306
Graduate enrollment5,512
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 96% Part-time: 4%Undergraduate Student Gender: Male: 41% Female: 59%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native: 0% Asian: 6% Black or African American: 5% Hispanic/Latino: 8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0% White: 56% Two or more races: 3% Race/ethnicity unknown: 14% Non-resident alien: 7%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age: 24 and under: 92% 25 and over: 3% Age unknown: 5%Undergraduate Student Residence: In-state: 2% Out-of-state: 92% Foreign countries: 4% Unknown: 2%
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates, Fall 2010.
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 55% Part-time: 45%
open-close Admissions
Undergraduate application fee (2012-2013): $65
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2012
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants17,0396,50910,530
Percent admitted44%39%47%
Percent admitted who enrolled21%23%20%
Admissions ConsiderationsRequiredRecommended
Secondary school GPAX
Secondary school recordX
Completion of college-preparatory programX
RecommendationsX
Formal demonstration of competenciesX
Admission test scores (SAT/ACT)X
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language)X
Test Scores: Fall 2012 (enrolled first-time students)
Students submitting scoresNumberPercent
SAT1,13171%
ACT69444%
Test Scores25th Percentile*75th Percentile**
NOTES:
*  25% of students scored at or below
** 25% of students scored above
  • Data apply to first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
  • Institutions are asked to report test scores only if they are required for admission.
SAT Critical Reading590690
SAT Math570670
SAT Writing580680
ACT Composite2631
ACT English2633
ACT Math2429
ACT Writing910
  • 1.American University is continuing its test-optional pilot program for the 2013 fall semester. For more information please visit: http://www.american.edu/admissions/testoptional.cfm. 2.Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency on one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE) http://www.american.edu/admissions/freshman/freshmaninstructions.cfm
open-close Retention and Graduation Rates
First-to-Second Year Retention Rates

Retention rates measure the percentage of first-time students who are seeking bachelor's degrees who return to the institution to continue their studies the following fall.

Retention Rates for First-Time Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Student retention: Full-time students: 90%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2010 and Returned in Fall 2011
Overall Graduation Rate and Transfer-Out Rate

The overall graduation rate is also known as the "Student Right to Know" or IPEDS graduation rate. It tracks the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students to see if they complete a degree or other award such as a certificate within 150% of "normal time" for completing the program in which they are enrolled.

Some institutions also report a transfer-out rate, which is the percentage of the full-time, first-time students who transferred to another institution.

Note that not all students at the institution are tracked for these rates. Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate. At this institution, 78 percent of entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2011.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2005
Overall graduation rate: Overall graduation rate: 77% (*) Transfer-out rate:
Percentage of Full-time, First-Time Students Who Graduated or Transferred Out Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
  • (*) Not all institutions report transfer-out rates.
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rates

Bachelor’s degree graduation rates measure the percentage of entering students beginning their studies full-time and are planning to get a bachelor’s degree and who complete their degree program within a specified amount of time.

Graduation Rates for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor's degree rate: 4-year: 71% 6-year: 77% 8-year: 77%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees: Male: 78% Female: 77%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2005 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees: American Indian or Alaska Native: 100% Asian: 78% Black or African American: 73% Hispanic/Latino: 70% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0% White: 79% Two or more races: 76% Race/ethnicity unknown: 73% Non-resident alien: 77%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2005 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
open-close Programs/Majors
Completions (Number of awards conferred) 2011-2012
Completions are the number of awards conferred by program and award level.
sort byProgramAssociateBachelorMasterDoctorUndergraduate
Certificate		Postgraduate
Certificate
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
  • d identifies programs and award levels that are offered as a distance education program. For program category totals, d is shown if one or more programs in the category are offered as a distance education program.
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender and Group Studies
American/United States Studies/Civilization-1--0-
Asian Studies/Civilization----20
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other-1----
European Studies/Civilization-----0
French Studies-4----
German Studies-3----
Latin American Studies-77---
Near and Middle Eastern Studies----0-
Russian Studies-0----
Women's Studies-2---2
Category total-187-22
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry-7----
Biology/Biological Sciences, General-298---
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography-2----
Category total-388---
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting-1735---
Business Administration and Management, General-289106--0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other-2---0
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies-----2
Finance, General--36--0
International Business/Trade/Commerce-----1
Marketing/Marketing Management, General-----0
Real Estate--10--0
Taxation--36--0
Category total-308223--3
Communication Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects-0----
Category total-0----
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies, Other--3---
International and Intercultural Communication--3---
Journalism-5153---
Mass Communication/Media Studies-9875---
Category total-149134---
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science-61---
Category total-61---
Education
Curriculum and Instruction--31---
Education, General---0--
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities--17---
Elementary Education and Teaching-1716--0
International and Comparative Education--23---
Mathematics Teacher Education---1--
Secondary Education and Teaching-085--1
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor--12-00
Category total-17184101
English Language and Literature/Letters
Creative Writing--15---
General Literature-238---
Category total-2323---
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General-----9
Category total-----9
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
French Language and Literature-10---
German Language and Literature-0----
Language Interpretation and Translation----284
Russian Language and Literature-1----
Spanish Language and Literature-0----
Category total-20-284
Health Professions and Related Programs
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies-----0
Category total-----0
History
History, General-43172--
Category total-43172--
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies-75242--
Category total-75242--
Legal Professions and Studies
American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence-0363--
International Law and Legal Studies--115---
Law---468--
Legal Professions and Studies, Other--1---
Category total-0152471--
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies04----
Category total04----
Mathematics and Statistics
Applied Mathematics, General-1----
Financial Mathematics-6----
Mathematics, General-92---
Statistics, General-212--
Statistics, Other-0----
Category total-1832--
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other-380---
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution--58---
Category total-3858---
Natural Resources and Conservation
Environmental Science-16--0
Environmental Studies-21----
Category total-226--0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General-21----
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management--23---
Category total-2123---
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Ethics--19---
Philosophy-184---
Religion/Religious Studies-5----
Category total-2323---
Physical Sciences
Acoustics-19----
Chemistry, General-21---
Physics, General-7----
Category total-281---
Psychology
Clinical Psychology---7--
Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics---2--
Experimental Psychology--1---
Personality Psychology--6---
Psychology, General-62140--
Category total-62219--
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Administration--1056-0
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other--20--5
Public Policy Analysis, General--66--5
Category total--1916-10
Social Sciences
Anthropology-1968-0
Economics, General-50137--
Economics, Other-----4
International Economics-----3
International Relations and Affairs-401292d735
Political Science and Government, General-17321024-
Political Science and Government, Other----53
Social Sciences, General-45----
Social Sciences, Other-----4
Sociology-19711-1
Category total-707339d333220
Visual and Performing Arts
Art History, Criticism and Conservation-1017---
Cinematography and Film/Video Production-3513---
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General-8----
Film/Cinema/Video Studies--34---
Fine and Studio Arts Management--23--0
Fine/Studio Arts, General-29---
Graphic Design-14----
Intermedia/Multimedia-0----
Music History, Literature, and Theory-12----
Music, General-5----
Category total-8696--0
Grand total01,6881,5345266249
open-close Varsity Athletic Teams
2011-2012 Varsity Athletes
NCAA Division I-AAA MenWomen
All Track Combined5044
Basketball1524
Field Hockey–17
Lacrosse–26
Soccer2528
Swimming and Diving2217
Volleyball–15
Wrestling20–
open-close Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
AgencyPeriods of AccreditationStatus
Middle States Commission on Higher Education1/1/1928 -  Accredited
Specialized Accreditation
Agency / ProgramPeriods of AccreditationStatus
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
Law (LAW) - Professional schools1/1/1940 -  Accredited
American Psychological Association, Committee on Accreditation
Clinical Psychology (CLPSY) - PhD Doctoral programs3/1/1972 -  Accredited
National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation
Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs(!)9/1/1965 -  Accredited
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools1/1/1965 -  Accredited
  • (!) Estimated date
open-close Campus Security
2011 Crime Statistics
Arrests - On-Campus200920102011
Illegal weapons possession000
Drug law violations130
Liquor law violations000
Arrests - On-Campus Residence Halls !200920102011
Illegal weapons possession000
Drug law violations120
Liquor law violations000
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus200920102011
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible312
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery102
Aggravated assault323
Burglary311731
Motor vehicle theft234
Arson304
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus Residence Halls !200920102011
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible111
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery001
Aggravated assault002
Burglary211615
Motor vehicle theft000
Arson304
  • (!) Residence Halls are a subset of On-Campus statistics
  • The crime data reported by the institutions have not been subjected to independent verification by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the Department cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data reported here.
  • These data do not include incidents that: (a) took place off campus on public property immediately adjacent to and accessible from the Campus; (b) took place on a noncampus building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (c) incidents at buildings/property owned or controlled by an institution but is not contiguous to the institution. For further information, see http://ope.ed.gov/security.
open-close Cohort Default Rates
Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates
Fiscal Year2009
Default rate2.9%
Number in default71
Number in repayment2,440
Aid Programs
  • Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)
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National Center for Education Statistics - http://nces.ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education
Institute of Education Sciences
National Center for Education Statistics
International Year of Statistics 2013 (Statistics2013)
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