American University is a private institution at Washington, DC, USA. It is ranked at 701-750 (2023) and 501-600th (2022) in the QS and THE world university rankings lists. The institution was chartered in 1893 by Congress.
Undergraduate admissions began in 1925 and the Washington College of Law merged with the institution in 1949. The institution has accreditation from the MSCHE and has recognition from the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. The University has 14,000+ undergraduate, law, and graduate students with representation from 124 countries.
The university has its campus at Washington, DC, sprawling over 90 acres in total. There are several research centres along with the university research and policy institutes, and other centres like the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics, Centre for Latin American & Latino Studies, Game Lab, and many others.
There are several study fields including accounting, American studies, law, advocacy, analytics, and many more. Students can choose from undergraduate, doctorate, and graduate degrees.
Notable alumni include former Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission and Senator, Max Cleland, Founder and Executive Chairman, APCO Worldwide, Margery Kraus, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, Deputy Campaign Manager, Obama for America 2012, Stephanie Cutter, Executive Vice President, Delaware Resource Group, Philip Busey, and actor-activist America Ferrera.
There are several career support services for students at the institution. These include networking events, career fairs, employer-in-residence programs, chats and webinars organized by the career center, and major-wise career guides for students as well. There are helpful assessment programs for career discovery and exploration alongside.
Located in Washington, DC, American University serves as a student-centered research institution with highly regarded schools and colleges, instructors from throughout the world, and a history of making a positive difference in the world. The students stand out for their commitment to others, their leadership, and their capacity to reconsider opportunities and problems on both the domestic and international fronts. At AU, students take their passions and turn them into action.
Chartered by Congress in 1893, American University is a Methodist-affiliated institution. In response to George Washington's proposal to establish a national university in the nation's capital, American University was founded to prepare future public officials, a goal it continues to uphold today.
The notable alums of American University are Gary D Cohn and Alisyn Camerota.
American University Highlight
Type of University (Public/Private)
Private Federally Chartered Research University
Total Student Population
The total number of students in American universities is 14,318.
Percentage of International Student Population
12% of the total undergraduate students are international.
9% of the total graduate students are international.
Acceptance Rate
American University has an acceptance rate of 64%.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio in American University is 11:1
Number of Campuses (Domestic + International)
American University has two campuses: a) Main campus on Massachusetts Avenue and b) East Campus on Nebraska Avenue.
Number of Scholarships Awarded
Each year, American University gives ten scholarships to eligible students who have excelled academically and have a considerable financial need.
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016.
About Campus and Accommodation
The 90-acre campus of American University is in a residential area of Washington, DC. It combines the benefits of a typical college environment with unmatched proximity to the excitement, culture, and opportunity of the country's capital.
The University is in a small neighborhood in the middle of a bustling city, so the breathtaking sights are never far away. Students can unwind with their fellow students on the lovely grounds (a recognized arboretum) before making an impromptu journey to the National Mall.
There are three major categories for accommodation in American universities, which are further divided into several other categories. The three major accommodation types with price ranges are given below in a table:
Accommodation type
Cost per semester
Traditional style halls
$3,880 - $6,710
Suite style halls
$6,020 - $7,770
Apartment style halls
$6,130 - $8,360
American University Global Ranking
American University is one of the best private universities in Washington, D.C. The QS World University Rankings for 2023 place it between #701-750. As per QS WUR Ranking By Subject, it is ranked #51-100, #131-140 in US Uni. As per QS Graduate Employability Ranking, American University is ranked #251-300.
Acceptance Rate of the University
According to the University, early decision applicants at American University have an acceptance rate of roughly 64.1%. However, competition is significantly higher than in many other universities in America, as few applications are accepted during the first rounds of admission.
Top Courses Offered at American University
Some of the most popular courses offered by American University are listed below:
International Relations and Affairs
Business Administration and Management, General
Political Science and Government, General
Interdisciplinary/ Multidisciplinary Studies
Safety Studies/ Criminal Justice
Image Management/ Public Relations
Finance
Economics
Psychology
The tuition fees for American University are listed in the table below:
Undergraduate students:
Undergraduate credit rate
Tuition Total
Part-time (less than 12 credit hours)
$1,856
Full-time (12-17.5 credit hours)
$27,862
Full-time (18 hours)
$29,718
Graduate Students:
Graduate Credit Rate
Tuition Total
Per Credit Hour
$1,922
Law Students:
Law Credit Rate
Tuition Total
Full Time (12-17 credit hours)
$30,968
Part-Time (Less than 12 credit hours)
$2,294
Non-degree Students:
Non-Degree Credit Rate
Tuition Total
For course levels 100-400 (per credit hour)
$1,856
For course level 500 and over (per credit hour)
$1,922
American University Admission Process
In order to apply to American University, students must submit a non-refundable application fee of $75.
The Gap Year Program at American University is a highly selected program intended for mature, driven, and autonomous students with strong leadership abilities. In the Washington Semester Program, high-achieving undergraduate students and gap-year students attend the same classes. Only American students are eligible for the Gap Year program.
Candidates must fulfill the following minimal university standards for pre-college education in order to be eligible:
Diploma from high school
GPA: 3.2 (at least)
On the following, admissions judgments are made:
Transcripts from every school student have ever attended (high school and any colleges),
Two essay questions
Two recommendation letters
Two interviews, both in-person and online
Documents Required for American University
Here is the list of all the documents required to take admission to the American University:
The applicants must submit a common application, including an essay
High school transcripts
ACT and SAT test scores (Not required for international students)
Recommendation letter from the teacher
Secondary school report
Mid-year grades and mid-year reports
A letter of recommendation (optional)
Exam Requirements for American University
Applicants from non-English speaking nations must provide proof of their English language competency to pursue higher education in the USA. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and other popular tests of English language ability are approved in the USA.
The following are the tests required for applying to American University:
Test
Minimum Score
IELTS
6.5
TOEFL-IBT
65
PTE
70
SAT
1300
LSAT
150
GRE
320
GMAT
700
MCAT
510
DAT
12
Aside from English language tests, the most common exams recognized in the USA are the SAT/ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT. Undergraduate admissions require SAT and ACT scores, whereas graduate-level courses require GMAT/GRE and MCAT scores.
American University Cost of Attendance
The tuition fees for American University are listed in the table below:
Undergraduate students:
Undergraduate credit rate
Tuition Total
Part-time (less than 12 credit hours)
$1,856
Full-time (12-17.5 credit hours)
$27,862
Full-time (18 hours)
$29,718
Graduate Students:
Graduate Credit Rate
Tuition Total
Per Credit Hour
$1,922
Law Students:
Law Credit Rate
Tuition Total
Full Time (12-17 credit hours)
$30,968
Part-Time (Less than 12 credit hours)
$2,294
Non-degree Students:
Non-Degree Credit Rate
Tuition Total
For course levels 100-400 (per credit hour)
$1,856
For course level 500 and over (per credit hour)
$1,922
The three major accommodation types with price ranges are given below in a table:
Accommodation type
Cost per semester
Traditional style halls
$3,880 - $6,710
Suite style halls
$6,020 - $7,770
Apartment style halls
$6,130 - $8,360
Available Scholarships for American University
International students receiving merit prizes from American universities will only receive partial grants. They receive awards for their exceptional academic performance, great English communication skills, volunteerism, leadership, and community involvement. The selection process for merit awards is very tough, and few scholarships are available. All merit-based awards at American University are given out at admission rather than following enrolment. These grants are extendable for the whole four years of study on the basis of continuous progress in the classroom.
Graduate Merit Awards may be available to exceptional international masters and doctorate students through their departments. Each year, these grants provide waivers for up to twelve credits of tuition. There may also be stipends offered.
Placements at American University
The Career Centre at American University offers a range of student support services that aid students in developing their professional identities, selecting the best career route, and looking for internships and jobs.
What GPA do you need to get into American University?
A GPA of a minimum of 3.2 is required for applying to American University.
What degree is American University best for?
American University is best known for graduate and undergraduate degrees.
What rank is American University in the world?
The QS World University Rankings for 2023 place it between #701-750.
Does American University give scholarships to international students?
Each year, American University will give ten scholarships to eligible students who have excelled academically and have a considerable financial need.
What is the acceptance rate of the American University?
The acceptance rate at American University is 64.1%
Does American University have placements?
The Career Centre at American University offers a range of student support services that aid students in developing their professional identities, selecting the best career route, and looking for internships and jobs.
American University: Rankings, Courses & Admissions
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