Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $76,058. College Scorecard.
Net price by family income
Average after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard, latest reported year
Sticker price, line by line
| Per year, living on campus | All students |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $58,771 |
| Housing & meals | $17,012 |
| Books & supplies | $1,000 |
| Personal & travel | $1,620 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$2,345 |
| Total cost of attendance | $76,058 |
Cost items: IPEDS 2023-24, on-campus budget. Total: College Scorecard, which averages students living on and off campus; the adjustment row reconciles the two.
Debt after graduation
College Scorecard; Urban Institute Education Data Portal
Who gets aid
College Scorecard
American University net price compared with other District of Columbia colleges
American University has the 7th-lowest average net price of 8 District of Columbia colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Avg. net price | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity Washington University | $9,302 | 49% | $53,804 |
| 2 | University of the District of Columbia | $10,648 | 33% | $44,236 |
| 3 | Gallaudet University | $15,845 | 47% | $43,101 |
| 4 | The Catholic University of America | $29,561 | 79% | $73,250 |
| 5 | George Washington University | $36,586 | 84% | $90,873 |
| 6 | Georgetown University | $40,815 | 95% | $103,494 |
| 7 | American University | $41,943 | 75% | $77,370 |
| 8 | Howard University | $50,539 | 70% | $63,066 |
College Scorecard, latest year. Average for all aided students; your price depends on income. All District of Columbia colleges →
Why American University costs more or less than similar schools
| School | Acceptance | You'd pay | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs | Price gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University | 62% | $41,943 | 75% | $77,370 | This school |
| Howard University | 41% | $50,539 | 70% | $63,066 | |
| George Washington University | 47% | $36,586 | 84% | $90,873 | |
| The Catholic University of America | 83% | $29,561 | 79% | $73,250 | |
| Gallaudet University | 58% | $15,845 | 47% | $43,101 |
College Scorecard, latest reported year. “You'd pay” follows your residency and income choices above.
Why the price is different
American University would cost you $8,596 less per year than Howard University, on average.
- Higher sticker price at American University, mostly from higher tuition & fees (+$22,961).
- American University gives aided families $30,024 more in grants, on average.
| Per year, District of Columbia resident | American University | HU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $58,771 | $35,810 | +$22,961 |
| Books & supplies | $1,000 | $1,360 | −$360 |
| Housing & meals | $17,012 | $16,474 | +$538 |
| Personal & travel | $1,620 | $3,452 | −$1,832 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$2,345 | −$2,466 | +$121 |
| Sticker price | $76,058 | $54,630 | +$21,428 |
| Average grants | −$34,115 | −$4,091 | −$30,024 |
| You pay | $41,943 | $50,539 | −$8,596 |
“+” means American University costs more; “−” means it costs less. Grants are the sticker price minus the net price. Cost items: IPEDS, on-campus budget. Sticker and net price: College Scorecard, latest reported year; the adjustment reconciles the two. Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote.
American University cost questions
How much is tuition at American University?
Tuition and fees are $58,771 a year.
What is the total cost of attending American University?
The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, books and personal costs, is $76,058 a year.
What do families actually pay at American University?
After grants and scholarships, students receiving federal aid pay $41,943 a year on average. Families earning $0–30k pay $23,233; $48–75k pay $26,035; $110k+ pay $53,673.
How much debt do American University graduates have?
The median federal loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and 1.7% of borrowers defaulted within three years of entering repayment (2017 cohort).
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS; Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By). Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote; confirm with the school's net price calculator. Back to American University overview