Skip Navigation
small header image
U.S. Department of Education
Institute of Education Sciences
NCES Kids' Zone
  
College Navigator
College Navigator

Name of School

States (use map for more than 1 state)

use map
close
ZIP Code 
 
select

Programs/Majors 0 Items

Level of Award    help

Institution Type   help

graphic
Guide MeGuide Me | Clear Search
graphic
 
blank
waiting for map to load
Loading map...

IPEDS ID: 131159
OPE ID: 00143400
add to favorites
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:  11,684 (6,311 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio:  13 to 1
Expand All | Collapse All
open-close General Information
Admissionsadmissions.american.edu/
Financial Aidadmissions.american.edu/public/contentPage/contentPage.asp?navID=21&docID=63
Apply Onlineadmissions.american.edu/default.asp
Mission Statement
  www.american.edu/president/statements/common_purpose.html
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
5%
Special Learning Opportunities
ROTC (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Teacher certification
Distance learning opportunities
Study abroad
Weekend/evening college
Student Services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
On-campus day care for students' children
Credit Accepted
Advanced placement (AP) credits
open-close Estimated Student Expenses (Before Aid)
Undergraduate academic year prices
Detailed Expenses2008-20092007-20082006-2007
Tuition and fees$33,283$31,425$29,206
Books and supplies$1,000$600$600
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$12,418$11,812$11,570
Other$1,300$1,300$1,300
Off Campus
Room and board$12,418$11,812$11,570
Other$1,300$1,300$1,300
Off Campus with Family
Other$1,300$1,300$1,300
Total Expenses2008-20092007-20082006-2007
On Campus$48,001$45,137$42,676
Off Campus$48,001$45,137$42,676
Off Campus with Family$35,583$33,325$31,106
  • All student expenses data apply to full-time first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
close
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 typical tuition and fees figures listed above. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Tuition inflation rate estimates for this school are based on the 3 years of data shown in the student expenses section.
Estimate the total tuition costs over the duration of a typical program at this school.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Alternative Tuition Plans
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition planX
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition planX
  • American University offers a deferred payment plan to students whose employers pay for their tuition. Students are required to submit a letter from their employer pledging payment for the tuition and documenting their company's tuition payment policy, as well as a completed deferment application form and a $50 deferred payment application fee. Tuition is then due no later than 30 days after the end of the semester.
open-close Financial Aid
Undergraduate students 2007-2008
Total grant aid received by all undergraduate students$58,284,512
Number of undergraduate students who received a Pell Grant655
  • Total grant aid includes dollars received from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources.
Full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students, 2007-2008
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid Received aid: 76% Did not receive aid: 24%
Percentage of students receiving grant aid by type
Percentage of students receiving grant aid by type Total grants: 64% Federal: 12% Pell: 10% Other Federal: 12% State/Local: 5% Institutional: 63%
Average amount of grant aid received by type
Average amount of grant aid received by type Total grants: $17,837 Federal: $4,538 Pell: $3,126 Other Federal: $1,896 State/Local: $943 Institutional: $17,145
Percentage of students receiving loans by typeAverage amount of loans by type
Percentage of students receiving loans by type Total loans: 50% Federal: 48% Non-federal: 15%Average amount of loans by type Total loans: $9,929 Federal: $4,368 Non-federal: $19,142
  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
open-close Enrollment
Fall 2008
Total enrollment11,684
Undergraduate enrollment6,311
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment273
Graduate enrollment5,373
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 96% Part-time: 4%Undergraduate Student Gender: Male: 38% Female: 62%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native: 0% Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 5% Black or African American: 4% Hispanic/Latino: 4% White: 61% Two or more races: 0% Race/ethnicity unknown: 19% Non-resident alien: 6%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age: 24 and under: 96% 25 and over: 4% Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence: In-state: 1% Out-of-state: 92% Foreign countries: 6% Unknown: 2%
  • Age data are reported for Fall 2007.
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates.
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 53% Part-time: 47%
open-close Admissions
Undergraduate application fee (2008-2009): $60
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2008
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants15,4136,0039,410
Percent admitted53%50%55%
Percent admitted who enrolled19%20%19%
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 2008 (enrolled first-time students)
Students submitting scoresNumberPercent
SAT1,37487%
ACT78950%
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 Reading580700
SAT Math570670
SAT Writing580680
ACT Composite2530
ACT English2531
ACT Math2429
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: 88% Part-time students: 50%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2007 and Returned in Fall 2008
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, 85 percent of students entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2008.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2002
Overall graduation rate: Overall graduation rate: 76% (*) 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: 64% 6-year: 71% 8-year: 72%
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: 73% Female: 77%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2002 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: Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 72% Black or African American: 72% Hispanic/Latino: 76% White: 78% Race/ethnicity unknown: 68% Non-resident alien: 68%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2002 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
  • One or more categories are not present in the race/ethnicity graph because of an insufficient number of cases.
open-close Programs/Majors
Completions 2007-2008
sort byProgramAssociateBachelorMasterDoctorCertificate
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
Area, ethnic, cultural, and gender studies
American/United States Studies/Civilization-4---
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, and Gender Studies, Other-3--1
European Studies/Civilization----0
French Studies-6---
German Studies-1---
Latin American Studies-911--
Near and Middle Eastern Studies-----
Russian Studies-2---
Women's Studies-8---
Category total-3311-1
Biological and biomedical sciences
Biochemistry-6---
Biology/Biological Sciences, General-255--
Category total-315--
Business, management, marketing, and related support services
Accounting--9--
Business Administration and Management, General-244115--
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General--0--
Management Information Systems, General-29--
Taxation--23--
Category total-246156--
Communication, journalism, and related programs
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric-9856--
Journalism-6346--
Category total-161102--
Communications technologies/technicians and support services
Animation, Interactive Tech, Video Graphics and Special Effects-0---
Category total-0---
Computer and information sciences and support services
Computer Science-44--
Category total-44--
Education
Education, General---11-
Education/Teaching Individuals - Specific Learning Disabilities--32--
Educational Leadership and Administration, General--0-0
Elementary Education and Teaching-1257-2
International and Comparative Education--19--
Mathematics Teacher Education---2-
Secondary Education and Teaching-065-4
Teaching English as Second/Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor--18-10
Category total-121911316
English language and literature/letters
Creative Writing--17--
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other-2611--
Category total-2628--
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics
French Language and Literature-30--
Language Interpretation and Translation----6
Russian Language and Literature-0---
Spanish Language and Literature-5---
Category total-80-6
Health professions and related clinical sciences
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies----9
Category total----9
History
History, General-46193-
Category total-46193-
Legal professions and studies
American/US Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence (LLM, MCJ, JSD/SJD)-31604-
International Law and Legal Studies (LLM, JSD/SJD)--98--
Law (LLB, JD)---475-
Category total-31158479-
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies05--0
Category total05--0
Mathematics and statistics
Applied Mathematics-0---
Mathematics, General-32--
Statistics, General-661-
Statistics, Other--1--
Category total-991-
Multi/interdisciplinary studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other-175--
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution--51--
Category total-1756--
Natural resources and conservation
Environmental Science--6--
Environmental Studies-90--
Category total-96--
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies
Health and Physical Education, General-10---
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management--12--
Category total-1012--
Philosophy and religious studies
Ethics--12--
Philosophy-206--
Category total-2018--
Physical sciences
Acoustics-13---
Chemistry, General-33--
Physics, General-3---
Category total-193--
Psychology
Clinical Psychology---4-
Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics---3-
Experimental Psychology--0--
Personality Psychology--2--
Psychology, General-56182-
Category total-56209-
Public administration and social service professions
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other--24-4
Public Administration--6630
Public Policy Analysis--47-0
Category total--13734
Security and protective services
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration-49---
Category total-49---
Social sciences
Anthropology-101560
Applied Economics----0
Economics, General-37229-
Economics, Other----0
International Economics----1
International Relations and Affairs-35429455
Political Science and Government, General-161351-
Political Science and Government, Other----1
Social Sciences, General-51---
Social Sciences, Other----4
Sociology-1374-
Category total-6263732511
Visual and performing arts
Art History, Criticism and Conservation-76--
Arts Management-014-0
Cinematography and Film/Video Production-3521--
Dance, General--1-0
Dance, Other----0
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General-5---
Film/Cinema Studies--25--
Fine/Studio Arts, General-5---
Graphic Design-6---
Intermedia/Multimedia-0---
Music History, Literature, and Theory-0---
Music, General-7---
Painting--12--
Printmaking--0--
Sculpture--0--
Category total-6579-0
Grand total01,4831,38753347
open-close Varsity Athletic Teams
2007-2008 Varsity Athletes
NCAA Division I-AAA MenWomen
All Track Combined2520
Basketball1312
Field Hockey–19
Lacrosse–22
Soccer2822
Swimming and Diving1525
Volleyball–16
Wrestling18–
open-close Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
AgencyPeriods of AccreditationStatus
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 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
Professional Psychology (IPSY) - Predoctoral internship programs11/14/2003 -  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
2007 Crime Statistics
Arrests - On-Campus200520062007
Illegal weapons possession000
Drug law violations001
Liquor law violations000
Arrests - On-Campus Residence Halls !200520062007
Illegal weapons possession000
Drug law violations000
Liquor law violations000
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus200520062007
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible122
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery016
Aggravated assault042
Burglary411519
Motor vehicle theft201
Arson001
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus Residence Halls !200520062007
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible120
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery001
Aggravated assault030
Burglary6711
Motor vehicle theft000
Arson001
  • (!) 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 Federal Loans
Average amount of undergraduate student loans by type, 2007-2008
Loan typeAverage amount
Direct Subsidized$4,242
Direct Unsubsidized$3,894
FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford Loan$4,000
Default Rates
Fiscal Year200720062005
Default rate1.8%1.0%1.2%
Number in default483832
Number in repayment2,5493,4892,543
Aid Programs
  • Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)
Pubs/Products|Surveys/Programs|DataTools|Tables/Figures|FastFacts|School/LibrarySearch|Annuals|What's New|Kids Zone
|Institute of Education Sciences|NCER|NCEE|NCSER
NewsFlash|Staff|Contact|Site Index|Help|RSS|Privacy Policy
  
1990 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006, USA
Phone: (202) 502-7300 (map)
Statistical Standards|FedStats.gov