American University
Acceptance
47%
Avg SAT
1392
Tuition
$56,543
Grad Rate (4yr)
72%
Retention
86%
Earnings
$77,370
AI Overview
American University leverages its Washington, DC location to immerse students in hands-on policy work and advocacy—expect internships at NGOs, think tanks, and government agencies woven directly into coursework. The campus attracts politically engaged, socially conscious students who thrive in spirited classroom debates and activism. With an acceptance rate around 47%, it's moderately selective. The standout differentiator: unparalleled access to the nation's political epicenter, where students don't just study issues—they work alongside the people shaping them.
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
Tuition
$56,543
Room & Board
$17,012
Average Net Price
$41,945
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants & scholarships
Receive Pell Grants
13%
Take Federal Loans
35%
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
6-Year Graduation Rate
1st Year Retention Rate
Median Earnings
10 years after enrollment
$77,370Median Debt
At graduation for completers
$22,750Top Programs by Earnings
Bachelor's degree graduatesAccounting and Related Services
28 graduates
$87,151
4 yrs after graduation
Finance and Financial Management Services
86 graduates
$86,053
4 yrs after graduation
Business Administration, Management and Operations
218 graduates
$78,264
4 yrs after graduation
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
100 graduates
$75,287
4 yrs after graduation
Economics
90 graduates
$69,607
4 yrs after graduation
Sociology
19 graduates
$65,245
4 yrs after graduation
Communication and Media Studies
25 graduates
$64,488
4 yrs after graduation
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
51 graduates
$64,040
4 yrs after graduation
Political Science and Government
226 graduates
$62,267
4 yrs after graduation
Criminal Justice and Corrections
108 graduates
$61,255
4 yrs after graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
Available Programs
82+ programsAnd 70 more programs available
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