American University
Washington, United States
- Cost of Living$ 26,376
- Tuition Fee From$ 12,728
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength8,988
- Global Diversity22%
- Gender Ratio51:49
Overview
About
American University (AU or American) is a private research university located in Washington, D.C. The majority of its 90 acres main campus is located in Northwest Washington, D.C.'s Spring Valley neighbourhood on Ward Circle. John Fletcher Hurst, a Methodist bishop, pushed for the establishment of the university by advocating for its chartering through a congressional act in 1893. Hurst wanted to establish an organization that would encourage civic service, internationalism, and realistic idealism. The university began construction in 1902, launched as a graduate school in 1914, and welcomed its first freshmen in 1925.
The Washington College of Law, the Kogod School of Business, the School of Communication, the School of Professional and Extended Studies, the School of Public Affairs, the School of International Service, and the College of Arts and Sciences are the eight schools and colleges that makeup AU. It offers more than 170 programs, including JD, LLM, and SJD programs, 70+ Bachelor's degrees, 85+ Master's degrees, and 10+ Doctoral degrees. American University’s acceptance rate stands at 64% with over 14,000 students attending the university, representing all 50 US states as well as 141 other nations; about a fifth of the student body is international. It is listed as belonging to the category "R2: Doctoral Universities - High Research Activity".
Two Pulitzer Prize winners, two Nobel Prize winners, one US Senator, 25 US Representatives, 18 US Ambassadors, and many foreign heads of state are among the alumni, faculty, and employees of the university. It is one of the top five institutions for Congressional employees, the U.S. Foreign Service, and other governmental organizations. The institution is the owner of WAMU, the capital affiliate of National Public Radio, which has produced nationally and internationally broadcast programming like The Diane Rehm Show and the more current 1A, abbreviated as "the 1A," as in "the 1st Amendment."
Ranking
US News & World Report 2024:
American University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #590 position.QS World University Ranking 2024:
American University has shown excellence by securing 601–800 spot on the global scale.According to US News & World Report's rankings for "national universities" for 2021, AU's undergraduate program placed 76th overall, 25th in terms of "Best Undergraduate Teaching," 35th in terms of "Most Innovative Schools," and 82nd in terms of "Best Value Schools." The Princeton Review's annual survey of college students ranked the university as the most politically active institution in the US in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2018. The Fiske Guide to Colleges named the university a "Best Buy" college in 2006 based on the value of its academic programs relative to the price of enrollment. In terms of producing Peace Corps volunteers, the university consistently ranks among the top mid-sized universities. The School of International Service has the highest proportion of female and underrepresented-group students among institutions accredited by The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA). Here are some of American University rankings in 2022 and 2023:
- 133rd in Forbes America’s College List Rankings 2022
- 138th in Wall Street Journal’s National Rankings 2022
- 72nd in the US News & World Report National Rankings 2022
- 159th in the Washington Monthly National University Rankings 2022
- 138th in Times Higher Education World US College Rankings 2022
- 601st - 800th in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Course Rankings:
American University’s courses have been ranked by subject on some of the top-ranking platforms. Here are some of the rankings listed below -
Times Higher Education (THE) 2023:
- THE Arts & Humanities: #501 - 600
- THE Social Sciences: #301 - 400
- THE Business & Economics: #401 - 500
- THE Law: #58
- THE Education: #251 - 300
- THE Psychology: #401 - 500
QS WUR Subject Rankings:
- QS Arts & Humanities: #451 - 500
- QS Business & Management Studies: #401 - 450
- QS Social Sciences & Management: #334
- QS Economics & Econometrics: #301 - 350
- QS Law & Legal Studies: #101 - 150
- QS Social Policy & Administration: #51 - 100
- QS Politics: #51 - 100
- Qs Development Studies: #51 - 100
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#711 - 720
-
2023
#701 - 750
#590
2022
#651 - 700
#590
Facilities
There are numerous student opportunities available on the AU campus. The multicultural campus community at the university includes students from 124 different nations. There are 150 student clubs and organizations at the university, which has a suburban campus in Washington, DC. The university's fraternity and sorority have three councils in total, more than 20 organizations, and more than 1000 members. A graduate leadership council with 3,800 students and 5 council leaders also exists. Regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or even gender, the campus supports diversity. Additionally, the university supports the LGBTQ community's values and beliefs. Glance through some of American University facilities below -
- Recreational Sports and Fitness Facilities
- Jacobs Fitness Center
- Reeves Aquatic Center
- Cassell Fitness Center
- Congressional Fitness Center
- Bender Arena
- Greenberg Track and Reeves Athletic Complex
- William I Jacobs Recreational Complex
- Massachusetts Ave. Field
- Campus Fitness Trail
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
American University's acceptance rate stands at 39%, making it a competitive institution. The entire student population of the university is 14,311, out of which 15% are international students from 122 different countries. The holistic approach taken by the Office of Admission in making admissions choices has assisted in identifying applicants for admission who are a good fit for AU, such as students who are intellectually curious and enthusiastic about creating a positive impact.
American University Entry Requirements
Students applying for undergraduate studies can apply through the Common Application whereas for graduate studies students can use the Graduate Application portal provided on the university website. An application fee of $75 is required to be paid by undergraduate students and $55 for graduate students. The applicants must make sure their application won't be reviewed until they submit all the American University entry requirements -
Application Requirements:
- Official Transcripts from previous universities
- GPA of 3.65 on a 4.0 scale which is approximately 90% - 92%
- Official SAT or ACT scores (if not test optional)
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- GRE or GMAT score for graduate admission
- Resume or CV
- Writing Sample
- Interview
- English Proficiency Scores -
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- TOEFL PBT: 600
- TOEFL CBT: 250
- Duolingo: 120
- IELTS: 7.0
- PTE: 68
American University English Proficiency Requirements
To exhibit their English competence, all overseas students must present their English language exam results such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and PTE. International students must have official results from one of the English proficiency exams that are mentioned in the table. Students should be aware that exemptions are provided on a limited basis and must be authorised by the CAS Office of Graduate Enrollment Management. The minimal American University IELTS requirements along with the other test scores necessary for undergraduate and graduate entrance are listed below -
|
Test |
Minimum Score (UG) |
Minimum Score (PG) |
|
TOEFL |
85 |
iBT: 100; CBT: 250; PBT: 600 |
|
IELTS |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
PTE |
68 |
68 |
|
Duolingo |
115 |
120 |
American University Fees
- Business Administration: $45,717
- Computer Science: $27,180
- Data Science: $27,680
- Analytics: $29,898
- Accounting: $33,975
- Environmental Science: $32,616
Placements
Graduates from AU get an average base salary of $72,000 annually. Within six months of graduating, 90% of students are either working or enrolled in graduate school through American University’s placements. 57% of graduates are employed by for-profit businesses, 28% are employed by non-profit organizations, and 14% are in government positions.
The top employers of graduates from the university include AgroAmerica, Amazon, American Bank, Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg, Cognizant, Ernst & Young, IBM, and many others. 18% of graduates earn an average salary of $60,000 or more. While 27% of graduates have salaries between $50,000 and $60,000, 16% have salaries between $30,000 and $40,000. International undergraduate and graduate students can apply for merit-based scholarships. It is a good school for overseas students because many of its graduates are hired by some of the major MNCs.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by American University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the American University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend American University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the American University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Washington, D.C. is ranked third among the top ten cities for university students by the American Institute of Economic Research. Thousands of young adults study in America's capital, benefiting from political and professional organisations representing nearly every subject of study. Prices in DC greatly outstrip the national average, with Washington DC placing 13th out of 118 US cities in Numbeo's cost of living index. However, DC is highly different in terms of neighbourhoods, and housing expenses vary depending on where you live in the city. Take a look at the cost of living per month in the table given below -
|
Item |
Cost (Per Month) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$1445 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$949 |
|
Transportation |
$114 |
|
Food |
$402 |
|
Utility |
$156 |
|
Entertainment |
$52 |
|
Groceries |
$60 |
|
Clothes |
$125 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
$2434 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
$1938 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$29,212 |