American University (AU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About American University
On a leafy campus in Washington, American University is known for strengths in public affairs, international studies, communications and media, business, environmental topics, and the social sciences. Courses are discussion-heavy and hands-on, supported by studios and newsroom-style spaces, research labs, a well used library, and student services that include advising, tutoring, and health and counseling. There's also a public radio station based on campus, which adds real newsroom energy.
Student life leans active and civically minded. You'll find service projects, political groups, arts performances, student media, outdoor clubs, and plenty of intramurals. The culture prizes curiosity and debate without the noise. Career prep shows up early through resume clinics, mentoring, and steady internship pipelines to agencies, nonprofits, firms, and newsrooms. And DC is the backyard: museums, embassies, hearings, neighborhood cafés, plus a long running speakers series that regularly brings the city's conversations to campus.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
American University (AU) offers 118 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,598 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Social Sciences (11 programs, 1,238 graduates), Business (11 programs, 570 graduates), Law (8 programs, 532 graduates), Education (7 programs, 293 graduates) and Public Services (3 programs, 262 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Social Sciences (11 programs, 1,238 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations | 794 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0901 |
| Political Science and Government | 277 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 78 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0601 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
| Sociology | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
| Political Science and Government | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
45.1099 |
| Economics | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.0699 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 4 |
|
Master's
|
45.0604 |
| International Economics | 1 |
|
Master's
|
45.0605 |
| Social Sciences | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.9999 |
Business (11 programs, 570 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 273 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Management Science | 109 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Finance, General | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0801 |
| Business Administration and Management | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0299 |
| Accounting | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Human Resources Management | 22 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Project Management | 19 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0211 |
| Marketing Management | 18 |
|
Master's
|
52.1401 |
| International Business and Trade | 10 |
|
Master's
|
52.1101 |
| Real Estate | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1501 |
| Taxation | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1601 |
Law (8 programs, 532 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 378 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Advanced Legal Research and Studies | 55 |
|
Master's
|
22.0201 |
| International Law and Legal Studies | 55 |
|
Master's
|
22.0209 |
| International Business and Trade Law | 16 |
|
Master's
|
22.0210 |
| Legal Research and Professional Studies | 12 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
22.0299 |
| Intellectual Property Law | 9 |
|
Master's
|
22.0212 |
| American Legal Studies | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
22.0203 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 1 |
|
Master's
|
22.9999 |
Education (7 programs, 293 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 114 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 101 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| International and Comparative Education | 13 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.0701 |
| Early Childhood Education | 6 |
|
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1401 |
| Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.1011 |
Public Services (3 programs, 262 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | 162 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
44.0401 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 98 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44.0501 |
| Public Administration and Social Services | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
44.9999 |
Interdisciplinary (8 programs, 261 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 174 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
30.9999 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | 36 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30.0501 |
| Data Science | 31 |
|
Master's
|
30.7001 |
| Global Studies | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
30.2001 |
| Financial Analytics | 6 |
|
Master's
|
30.7104 |
| Data Science | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.7099 |
| Computational Science | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3001 |
| Data Analytics | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
30.7101 |
Communication (6 programs, 254 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 84 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0102 |
| Journalism | 77 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0401 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 59 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0902 |
| Political Communication | 30 |
|
Master's
|
09.0904 |
| Communication and Journalism, Other | 3 |
|
Master's
|
09.9999 |
| International and Intercultural Communication | 1 |
|
Master's
|
09.0907 |
Security & Safety (4 programs, 236 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 145 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
43.0104 |
| Homeland Security | 77 |
|
Master's
|
43.0301 |
| Criminal Justice, Other | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0199 |
| Cybersecurity Defense Strategy | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
43.0404 |
Arts (11 programs, 161 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Media Studies | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0601 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 19 |
|
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Studio Arts, General | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Graphic Design | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 11 |
|
Master's
|
50.0411 |
| Arts and Media Management | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50.1001 |
| Musical Theatre | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Art History and Conservation | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0703 |
| Music | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Photography | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
Psychology (2 programs, 111 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 109 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Clinical Psychology | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2801 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at American University (AU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about American University (AU)
How much does it cost to attend American University (AU)?
The annual tuition at American University (AU) is $56,543 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $76,175 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $17,012 (on) / $14,712 (off) and books and supplies $1,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does American University offer?
American University (AU) offers 118 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (11 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
- Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (8 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (7 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for American University?
American University (AU) has an 47.4% acceptance rate and a 22% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 17,786
- Students admitted: 8,427
- Students enrolled: 1,856
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at American University?
American University (AU) provides financial aid to 22% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $31,402 and average loans of $9,121.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,208
- State/Local grants: $525
- Institutional grants: $30,259
- Federal loans: $5,111
The university supports 1,089 students with grants and 758 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for American University graduates?
American University (AU) graduates earn a median salary of $61,328 after 6 years and $77,370 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $51,260 (25th percentile) to $112,884 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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