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American University
American University says yes to 62% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $77,370 median earnings.
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American University sits in Washington proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. The school maintains its United Methodist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Finance and Financial Management Services, where graduates median $134,332 four years out. 13.9% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 7,266 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 88.2% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1300 and 1450 — near the DC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on American University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, American University received 17,786 applications and admitted 8,427 (47.4%), with 1,856 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 1300–1450 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, American University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 670 | 710 | 740 |
| SAT Math | 630 | 670 | 710 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 31 | 33 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How American University compares
| American University | District of Columbia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 62% | 58.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $58,771 | $31,210 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $77,370 | $63,066 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors American University: $77,370 median at year ten, versus $63,066 across District of Columbia institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $58,771 regardless of where you're from. At American University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
At 7,266 undergrads, American University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
75.5% of American University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 20.6 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $58,771 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at American University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $134,332 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $119,020 |
| Computer Science | $117,293 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $88,359 |
| Economics | $85,016 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $78,410 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $76,552 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $75,461 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $73,865 |
| Political Science and Government | $73,604 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | $72,792 |
| Public Health | $70,831 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $67,863 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,970 |
| Journalism | $66,635 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $66,160 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $63,711 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $63,553 |
| Psychology, General | $62,240 |
| History | $59,630 |
| Literature | $54,436 |
| Anthropology | $53,036 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $52,661 |
Median earnings for these 23 American University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $77,370 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 21 additional American University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for American University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1300–1450 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 62% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is American University's acceptance rate?
47.4% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,427 admitted from 17,786 applicants.
How much does American University cost?
At American University, published tuition is $58,771 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is American University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do American University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $77,370 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in District of Columbia
- The Catholic University of America — 82.8% admitted
- Gallaudet University — 58.1% admitted
- George Washington University — 47.1% admitted
- Georgetown University — 12.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.