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Colleges / American University

American University

Washington, DC 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate64%
Acceptance Rate64%

American University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time American University students was $56,606 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 12%–from $50,542 the previous year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition does not give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students pay a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at American University

American University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of DC as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a school where you qualify for in-state tuition can save significant money on the total cost of attending college. Take the time to check your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other DC colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to American University?

American University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or American University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at American University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideAmerican University

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


American University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at American University.

Room and Board Costs at American University

Room and board at American University costs $17,030 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the American University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $10,400.

Board costs can depend on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at American University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at American University

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is usually pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. American Universityis in a suburban setting in DC, not far from Washington.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


The Full Cost of Attending American University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to American University.

Total Cost of American University

What will the cost of attending American University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $56,606
Room and Board $17,030
Board Only $5,306
Other expenses $580

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $75,835
Off-Campus $64,111

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

American University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for both full and part-time students


American University Financial Aid


In 2022, 3,309 of the 8,463 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. American University meets 77% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $35,916 a year.

Most Common Loans for American University Students

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on American University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at American University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, American University awarded 3,094 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $83.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $32.06 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

American University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for American University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at American University was $35,916 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of American University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $39,919
Off-Campus $28,195

What will attending American University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the American University's net cost calculator on their website.

American University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

American University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does American University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

American University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About American University


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about American University:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about American University

American University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$75,255

In State

$75,255

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$56,606
$56,606
Fees
$819
$819
Housing
$17,030
$17,030
Books
$800
$800

American University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

39%

Average Financial Aid Package

$35,469

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

14,582

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

64%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$57,425

Out-of-State

$57,425

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 15
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