Washington, DC · 7.3k students
Trajecta score
-3.9 since '20Ranked #181 of 2,375
5-year trend
62.7 · #148
2020
62.9 · #232
2021
61.4 · #301
2022
60.7 · #325
2023
58.8 · #445
2024
Academic Profile
54/ 100
Career Outcomes
79/ 100
Student Success
64/ 100
Affordability
38/ 100
Academic Investment
89/ 100
Access & Equity
22/ 100
Academic Profile
54
Career Outcomes
79
Student Success
64
Affordability
38
Academic Investment
89
Access & Equity
22
AI Fit Analysis
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Cost / Net Price
$76k / $42k
SAT Avg
1,381
Retention
88%
Grad Rate
77%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$58,771
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$58,771
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
14%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
38%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$22,750
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what American University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Not Considered | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Not Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Important | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Not Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Not Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Important | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Very Important |
Supplemental Essays · 2025-26
school's admissions site ↗AU Supplemental Short Answer
OptionalNo stated limitAmerican University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Describe a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you're excited.
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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Neighbors in Washington D.C., plus the closest schools nationally by Trajecta Score.
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