American University
American University sits in a residential corner of northwest Washington, DC, about four miles from the Capitol, and it builds almost everything around that address. Social sciences account for a third of its bachelor's degrees, more than any other area, and its schools of international service, public affairs, and communication route students into congressional offices, embassies, and newsrooms during the semester rather than only over the summer. Admission is accessible by selective-private standards at about 65.6% of roughly 21,000 applicants, though AU weighs demonstrated interest as heavily as it weighs grades. The student body is unusually national: 98% of first-years come from outside DC, and 95% of them live on campus.
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American University admissions statistics
Acceptance rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early decision
American University offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~1.2× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized tests
American University is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
American University supplemental essays — 2026-2027 cycle
American University students identify as changemakers and describe themselves as passionate. Elaborate on a belief, hobby, idea, issue, or topic about which you're excited.
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Admissions factors
How American University weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from American University's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Frequently asked questions about American University admissions
American University admits about 65.6% of applicants, so it is selective but far from a reach for a solid student. It drew roughly 20,960 applications for the most recent class and enrolled 1,545 first-years. Course rigor and GPA carry the most weight, and AU is one of the few schools that rates a demonstrated interest in attending as very important.
No. AU is test-optional and states plainly in its Common Data Set that scores are not required for admission. Only about 16% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT and 6% submitted an ACT, and the university rates standardized tests as merely 'considered' in its review, well below GPA and course rigor.
A 1400 lands comfortably in the upper half of admitted students at AU. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted scores fell between 1320 and 1440 on the SAT, with a median of 1380, and the ACT range ran 30 to 33. Since AU is test-optional, submit a 1400 and it will help you; withhold a weaker score and it costs you nothing.
Substantially. AU admitted 316 of 392 binding Early Decision applicants, an admit rate near 81% against roughly 66% overall. The university runs both ED I and ED II, so a student who decides late in the fall still has a binding round available. Early Decision commits you to enroll if admitted, which is the tradeoff for that margin.
Yes, more than at most schools. AU lists 'level of applicant's interest' as a very important admission factor, the same tier it gives GPA and the rigor of your high school record. Campus visits, opened emails, interviews with regional counselors, and a supplement that names specific AU programs all register. Applying Early Decision is the strongest interest signal available.
Tuition and required fees run $64,652 a year, with on-campus housing and food adding another $19,696. About 53% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, the average first-year aid package comes to $53,000, and AU meets roughly 88% of demonstrated need on average. Sticker price and what families actually pay diverge widely here.
Social sciences dominate at about 33% of bachelor's degrees, reflecting AU's international service, political science, and public affairs programs. Business and marketing follow at 12%, then communication and journalism at 9%. Arts, justice and protective services, and interdisciplinary programs each account for roughly 6%.
Yes. AU rates the application essay as an important factor, above test scores and alongside recommendations, activities, and personal qualities. Its 250-word supplement asks you to elaborate on a belief, hobby, idea, or issue you are excited about, and because AU weighs demonstrated interest so heavily, a response that shows real knowledge of the university does double duty.
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Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student-faculty ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by gender
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Source: American University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-08-19. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with American University. Banner photo by Samschoe, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cite this page as: Esslo College Explorer, “American University admissions statistics, transcribed from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set,” https://www.esslo.org/colleges/american-university (retrieved 2026-08-19).