American University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at American University was $55,724 a year.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

American University meets 77% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at American University is around $41,533 a year.

American University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

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 schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending an insitution where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other DC colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to American University?

Tuition at American University is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or American University-specific aid and scholarships. 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.

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American University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, 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 $16,520 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $10,910.

Board costs vary based on on the number 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 depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways so that those with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at American University

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. 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 the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is usually expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The American University campus is located in a suburb in DC, near Washington.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at American University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending American University.

How Much Does American University Cost?

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$55,724
Room and Board	$16,520
Board Only	$5,610
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	$73,643
Off-Campus	$62,733

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

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Financial Aid at American University

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In 2023, 3,236 of the 7,917 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 $41,533 a year.

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 2023, American University awarded 3,031 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $88.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $34.91 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of American University

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 $41,533 in 2023. 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	$32,110
Off-Campus	$21,200

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 does not have guaranteed tuition.

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

American University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

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.

American University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of American University's endowment was $908.9 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

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Learn More About American University

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To learn more about American University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

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