American University

Common Data Set 2020-21

Acceptance Rate

38.7%

Applications

20,036

Admitted

7,744

Enrolled

1,585

SAT Composite 25th

1,220

Federal outcomes

Federal data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, vintage 2022-23. Outcomes reflect earlier cohorts than the CDS year shown elsewhere on this page.

Median earnings
$77,370
10 yrs after enrollment
Graduation rate
75%
6-year completion
Average net price
$41,943
sticker minus grants
Median debt at grad.
$22,750
federal loans only

All Extracted Fields

§ Extraction485fields parsed from this CDS.

General Information

8 TABLES
Respondent Information
First Name:Robin
Last Name:Beads
Title:Associate Director
Office:Institutional Reserch and Assessment
Phone:202-885-6156
Email Address:beads@american.edu
Are your responses to the CDS posted for reference on your institution's Website?Yes
If yes, please provide the URL of the corresponding Web page:https://www.american.edu/provost/oira/upload/CDS_American_U_2019-20.pdf
Other
City:W ashington D.C. 20016-8059
Address Information
Name of College/University:American University
Street Address Line 1:4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
CityW ashington
StateD.C.
Zip20,016
Main Phone Number (Area Code)202
Main Phone Number:885-1000
WWW Home Page Address:http://www.american.edu/
Admissions Office
Admissions Phone Number (Area Code):202
Admissions Phone Number:885-6000
Admissions Email Address:admissions@american.edu
If there is a separate URL for your school’s online application, please specify:https://www.american.edu/admissions/apply/index.cfm
Institutional Control
Source of institutional control (Check only one):Private (nonprofit)
Classification
Classify your undergraduate institution:Coeducational college
Academic Year
Academic year calendar:Semester
Degrees Offered
CertificateX
AssociateX
Bachelor'sX
Postbachelor's certificateX
Master'sX
Doctoral degree research/scholarshipX
Doctoral degree – professional practiceX

Enrollment And Persistence

5 TABLES
Institutional Enrollment
B1 undergraduate enrollment
Full-time, part-time, and total undergraduate enrollment by reported sex or status.
B1 undergraduate enrollment. Full-time, part-time, and total undergraduate enrollment by reported sex or status.
MeasureMalesFemalesUnknownTotal
Full-time first-time first-year degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time other first-year degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time all other degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time total degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time other credit-course undergraduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time total undergraduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time first-time first-year degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time other first-year degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time all other degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time total degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time other credit-course undergraduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time total undergraduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Total undergraduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported7953
B1 graduate enrollment
Full-time, part-time, and total graduate enrollment by reported sex or status.
B1 graduate enrollment. Full-time, part-time, and total graduate enrollment by reported sex or status.
MeasureMalesFemalesUnknownTotal
Full-time first-time degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time all other degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time other credit-course graduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Full-time total graduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time first-time degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time all other degree-seekingNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time other credit-course graduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Part-time total graduatesNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Total graduate studentsNot reportedNot reportedNot reported6048
B1 overall enrollment
Institution-wide full-time, part-time, and total enrollment by reported sex or status.
B1 overall enrollment. Institution-wide full-time, part-time, and total enrollment by reported sex or status.
MeasureMalesFemalesUnknownTotal
Total full-time studentsNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Total part-time studentsNot reportedNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Grand total all studentsNot reportedNot reportedNot reported14001
Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category
B2 enrollment by race and ethnicity
Undergraduate enrollment by race or ethnicity for first-time first-year, degree-seeking, and total undergraduate cohorts.
B2 enrollment by race and ethnicity. Undergraduate enrollment by race or ethnicity for first-time first-year, degree-seeking, and total undergraduate cohorts.
MeasureFirst-time first-yearDegree-seeking undergraduatesTotal undergraduates
Nonresidents438791173
Hispanic/Latino23977
Black or African American, non-Hispanic163605619
White, non-Hispanic90439804058
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic344
Asian, non-Hispanic101512526
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic277
Two or more races, non-Hispanic92341344
Race and/or ethnicity unknown60251273
Total160775117953
Persistence
B3 degrees awarded
Degrees awarded by credential level in the reporting year.
B3 degrees awarded. Degrees awarded by credential level in the reporting year.
MeasureNumber awarded
Certificate/diploma138
Associate degreesNot reported
Bachelor's degrees1798
Postbachelor's certificates79
Master's degrees1940
Post-master's certificatesNot reported
Doctoral degrees, research/scholarshipNot reported
Doctoral degrees, professional practiceNot reported
Doctoral degrees, otherNot reported
Graduation Rates
B4 current graduation-rate cohort
Four-year institution graduation-rate cohort counts and six-year graduation rates by aid-recipient category.
B4 current graduation-rate cohort. Four-year institution graduation-rate cohort counts and six-year graduation rates by aid-recipient category.
MeasurePell GrantSubsidized Stafford, no PellNeither Pell nor subsidized StaffordTotal
Initial cohort3616417821784
Did not persist0000
Final cohort3616417821784
Completed in less than four years2474765861309
Completed in less than five years22293586
Completed in less than six years16714
Total completers2705116281409
Six-year graduation rate75%80%80%79%
B5 previous graduation-rate cohort
Four-year institution graduation-rate cohort counts and six-year graduation rates by aid-recipient category.
B5 previous graduation-rate cohort. Four-year institution graduation-rate cohort counts and six-year graduation rates by aid-recipient category.
MeasurePell GrantSubsidized Stafford, no PellNeither Pell nor subsidized StaffordTotal
Initial cohort2975697581624
Did not persist0000
Final cohort2975697581624
Completed in less than four years2174455601222
Completed in less than five years15142352
Completed in less than six years1056
Total completers2334595881280
Six-year graduation rate78%81%78%79%
Retention Rates
B22 first-year retention
First-time full-time bachelor's cohort retention count and rate.
B22 first-year retention. First-time full-time bachelor's cohort retention count and rate.
MeasureValue
Entering cohortNot reported
Still enrolled next fallNot reported
Retention rate84.80%

First-Time, First-Year Admission

8 TABLES
Entrance Exams
APX
Institutional ExamX
Does your institution make use of SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?No
Applications
C1 first-year admissions
First-time, first-year applicants, admits, and enrolled students by sex or status.
C1 first-year admissions. First-time, first-year applicants, admits, and enrolled students by sex or status.
MeasureMalesFemalesUnknown sexTotal
Applied712512911Not reportedNot reported
Admitted26275117Not reportedNot reported
Enrolled5391046Not reportedNot reported
Enrolled full-timeNot reported1046Not reportedNot reported
Enrolled part-time715Not reportedNot reported
Wait List
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:5,158
Number accepting a place on the waiting list:1,657
Number of wait-listed students admitted:133
Admissions Requirements
Total academic units17
English4
Mathematics3
Science3
Total academic units23
English4
Mathematics4
Science4
Basis for Selection
C7 basis for selection
Relative importance of academic and nonacademic factors in first-year admissions decisions.
C7 basis for selection. Relative importance of academic and nonacademic factors in first-year admissions decisions.
MeasureVery importantImportantConsideredNot considered
Rigor of secondary school recordYes
Class rankYes
Academic GPAYes
Standardized test scoresYes
Application essayYes
RecommendationsYes
InterviewYes
Extracurricular activitiesYes
Talent or abilityYes
Character and personal qualitiesYes
First generationYes
Alumni relationYes
Geographical residenceYes
State residencyYes
Religious affiliation or commitmentYes
Volunteer workYes
Work experienceYes
Level of applicant interestYes
First-time, first-year Profile
C9 test-score submission
Share and count of enrolled first-year students who submitted SAT or ACT scores.
C9 test-score submission. Share and count of enrolled first-year students who submitted SAT or ACT scores.
MeasurePercentNumber
SAT50800
ACT31494
C9 test-score percentiles
Reported 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile scores for enrolled first-year students.
C9 test-score percentiles. Reported 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile scores for enrolled first-year students.
Measure25th percentile50th percentile75th percentile
SAT composite12201390Not reported
SAT evidence-based reading and writing630710Not reported
SAT math590680Not reported
ACT composite2732Not reported
ACT math2429Not reported
ACT English2834Not reported
ACT WritingNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
ACT ScienceNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
ACT ReadingNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Other extracted fields
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-80031.9
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-69952.8
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-59913.6
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 400-4991.5
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 300-3990.3
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-2990
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: Total100.0
SAT Math: 700-80021
SAT Math: 600-69951.8
SAT Math: 500-59924.6
SAT Math: 400-4992.3
SAT Math: 300-3990.4
SAT Math: 200-2990
SAT Math: Total100.0
SAT Composite: 1400-160023.5
SAT Composite: 1200-139959
SAT Composite: 1000-119915.4
SAT Composite: 800-9992
SAT Composite: 600-7990.1
SAT Composite: 400-5990
SAT Composite: Total100.0
ACT Composite: 30-3652.2
ACT Composite: 24-2940.1
ACT Composite: 18-237.1
ACT Composite: 12-170.6
ACT Composite: 6-110
ACT Composite: Below 60
ACT Composite: Total100.0
Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA:3.79
Admission Policies
Does your institution have an application fee?Yes
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?Yes
Application closing date (fall): Month1
Application closing date (fall): Day15
Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall?Yes
Must reply by May 1st or within____weeks if notified after4
Deadline for housing deposit (MMDD):Month5
Deadline for housing deposit (MMDD): Day1
Amount of housing deposit:200
Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission?Yes
Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year applicants for fall enrollment?Yes
Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college?No
Other
If you have an application fee and an on-line application option, please indicate policy for students who apply on-line:X

Transfer Admission

4 TABLES
Fall Applicants
D2 transfer admissions
Transfer applicants, admits, and enrolled students by reported sex or status.
D2 transfer admissions. Transfer applicants, admits, and enrolled students by reported sex or status.
MeasureMalesFemalesUnknownTotal
Applied502688Not reported1190
Admitted297504Not reported801
Enrolled66104Not reported170
Other extracted fields
Does your institution enroll transfer students? (If no, please skip to Section E)Yes
If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities?Yes
Application for Admission
FallX
SpringX
SummerX
Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering first-year student?No
High school transcriptRequired of Some
College transcript(s)Required of All
Essay or personal statementNot Required
InterviewNot Required
Standardized test scoresNot Required
Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)Not Required
If a minimum college grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify (on a 4.0 scale):2.00
List any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 credits must also submit a high school transcript. For more details
Fall Closing Date: Month5
Spring Closing Date: Month10
Does an open admission policy, if reported, apply to transfer students?No
Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:For more information please visit: https://www.american.edu/admissions/transfer/instructions.cfm
Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit:2
Other
Fall Closing Date:Day1
Spring Closing Date: Day1
Transfer Credit Policies
Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution:60
Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution:credit
Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution:60
Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution:credit
Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:45
American Council on Education (ACE)Yes
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)Yes
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)No
Number30
Unit Typecredit
Number30
Unit Typecredit
Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website?Yes
Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution:CDS-D Page 13 Common Data Set 2020-2021

Academic Offerings and Policies

2 TABLES
Special Study Options
Accelerated programX
Distance learningX
Double majorX
Dual enrollmentX
English as a Second Language (ESL)X
External degree programX
Honors ProgramX
Independent studyX
InternshipsX
Liberal arts/career combinationX
Student-designed majorX
Study abroadX
Teacher certification programX
Other (specify):X
Specify:Three 3-year bachelor degree programs are available. Living/Learning Communities are available
Required Course Work
Arts/fine artsX
English (including composition)X
HistoryX
HumanitiesX
MathematicsX
Sciences (biological or physical)X
Social scienceX
Other (describe):X
Describe:American University Experience: The American University Experience (AUx) is a mandatory full-year AU

Student Life

4 TABLES
Percent Participating
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)82%
Percent of students age 25 and older0%
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)79%
Percent of males who join fraternities9%
Percent of females who join sororities9%
Percent of students age 25 and older2%
Average Age
Average age of full-time students18
Average age of all students (full- and part-time)18
Average age of full-time students20
Average age of all students (full- and part-time)20
Activities Offered
Campus MinistriesX
Choral groupsX
Concert bandX
DanceX
Drama/theaterX
International Student OrganizationX
Jazz bandX
Literary magazineX
Model UNX
Music ensemblesX
Musical theaterX
OperaX
Pep bandX
Radio stationX
Student governmentX
Student newspaperX
Student-run film societyX
Symphony orchestraX
Television stationX
YearbookX
Housing
Coed residence hallsX
Theme housingX

Annual Expenses

4 TABLES
Private Tuition
G1 undergraduate costs
Published undergraduate tuition, required fees, and on-campus food and housing charges.
G1 undergraduate costs. Published undergraduate tuition, required fees, and on-campus food and housing charges.
MeasureFirst-yearAll undergraduates
Tuition5054250542
Tuition: in-districtNot reportedNot reported
Tuition: in-stateNot reportedNot reported
Tuition: out-of-stateNot reportedNot reported
Tuition: nonresidentNot reportedNot reported
Required feesNot reportedNot reported
Food and housing, on-campusNot reportedNot reported
Housing only, on-campusNot reportedNot reported
Food only, on-campus meal planNot reportedNot reported
Comprehensive tuition, food, and housingNot reportedNot reported
OtherNot reportedNot reported
Credits per Term
Minimum15
Tuition Policies
Do tuition and fees vary by year of study (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior)?No
Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate instructional program?No
Estimated Expenses
G5 estimated expenses
Estimated books, supplies, transportation, food, housing, and personal expenses by living arrangement.
G5 estimated expenses. Estimated books, supplies, transportation, food, housing, and personal expenses by living arrangement.
MeasureResidentsCommuters living at homeCommuters not living at home
Books and supplies800800800
Food onlyNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Housing onlyNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Food and housing totalNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Transportation4281128428
Other expenses581581581

Financial Aid

7 TABLES
Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid
H2A non-need-based aid
Non-need-based scholarship and grant aid recipients and average awards by undergraduate cohort.
H2A non-need-based aid. Non-need-based scholarship and grant aid recipients and average awards by undergraduate cohort.
MeasureFirst-year full-timeAll undergraduates full-timeAll undergraduates less-than-full-time
Institutional non-need grant recipients33883319
Average institutional non-need grant13231138457002
Athletic grant recipients471812
Average athletic grant339893065625429
Reporting Year
Academic Year2020-2021 estimated
Need-based Aid Awarded
Federal$5,730,652
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located$64,010
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).$76,767,300
Total Scholarships/Grants$82,561,962
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)$9,388,909
Federal Work-Study$2,045,105
Total Self-Help$11,434,014
Non-need-based Aid Awarded
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).$21,632,734
Total Scholarships/Grants$21,632,734
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)$6,454,076
Total Self-Help$6,454,076
Parent Loans$14,282,591
Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.$4,749,416
Students Awarded Aid
H2 students awarded aid
Need-based aid counts, need met, and average awards by undergraduate cohort.
H2 students awarded aid. Need-based aid counts, need met, and average awards by undergraduate cohort.
MeasureFirst-year full-timeAll undergraduates full-timeAll undergraduates less-than-full-time
Degree-seeking undergraduates15857103408
Applied for need-based aid11574099134
Determined to have financial need695314493
Awarded any aid691309474
Awarded need-based scholarship or grant aid675284950
Awarded need-based self-help aid601268159
Awarded non-need-based scholarship or grant aid22485410
Need fully met33568214
Average percentage of need met92.075.055.0
Average financial aid package400253594215670
Average need-based scholarship or grant319162977914403
Average need-based self-help award406946793302
Average need-based loan325742733239
Aid to Nonresidents
If institutional financial aid is available for undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents, provide the number of undergraduate degree-seeking nonresidents who were awarded need-based or non-need-based aid:52
Institutional Aid
If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details:CDS-H Page 21 Common Data Set 2020-2021

Instructional Faculty And Class Size

3 TABLES
Instructional Faculty
I1 instructional faculty
Instructional faculty counts by full-time status and selected demographic or credential category.
I1 instructional faculty. Instructional faculty counts by full-time status and selected demographic or credential category.
MeasureFull-timePart-timeTotal
Total instructional faculty8277051532
Members of minority groups180138318
Females416322738
Males411383794
Nonresidents221133
Doctorate or other terminal degree7800780
Master's, but not terminal master's38038
Bachelor's degree909
Unknown or other highest degree0705705
Stand-alone graduate/professional programs66108174
Student to Faculty Ratio
Fall 2025 Student to Faculty ratio11
based on ____ students12,617
and ____ faculty1,358
Undergraduate Class Size
I3 undergraduate class size
Undergraduate class sections and subsections by enrollment size band.
I3 undergraduate class size. Undergraduate class sections and subsections by enrollment size band.
MeasureClass sectionsClass subsections
2-9 students103Not reported
10-19 students103Not reported
20-29 students955Not reported
30-39 students526Not reported
40-49 students156Not reported
50-99 students40Not reported
100+ students10Not reported
Total70

Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred

3 TABLES
Diploma/Certificates
Associate
Bachelors
J degrees conferred by discipline
Percentage distribution of degrees conferred by discipline and award level.
J degrees conferred by discipline. Percentage distribution of degrees conferred by discipline and award level.
MeasureCertificate/diplomaAssociateBachelor's
AgricultureNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Natural resources and conservationNot reportedNot reported1.1%
ArchitectureNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Area, ethnic, and gender studies0.7%Not reported1.3%
Communication/journalismNot reportedNot reported9.6%
Communication technologiesNot reportedNot reported0.8%
Computer and information sciencesNot reportedNot reported1.0%
Personal and culinary servicesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
EducationNot reportedNot reported1.1%
EngineeringNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Engineering technologiesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics30.4%Not reported0.1%
Family and consumer sciencesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Law/legal studiesNot reportedNot reported1.6%
EnglishNot reportedNot reported1.3%
Liberal arts/general studiesNot reportedNot reported0.1%
Library scienceNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Biological/life sciencesNot reportedNot reported2.8%
Mathematics and statisticsNot reportedNot reported0.6%
Military science and military technologiesNot reportedNot reported28%
Interdisciplinary studies42.8%Not reported6.3%
Parks and recreationNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Philosophy and religious studiesNot reportedNot reported0.6%
Theology and religious vocationsNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Physical sciencesNot reportedNot reported0.3%
Science technologiesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
PsychologyNot reportedNot reported3.0%
Homeland Security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective servicesNot reportedNot reported4.0%
Public administration and social servicesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Social sciences26.1%Not reported36.7%
Construction tradesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Mechanic and repair technologiesNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Precision productionNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Transportation and materials movingNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Visual and performing artsNot reportedNot reported5.5%
Health professions and related programsNot reportedNot reported4.3%
Business/marketingNot reportedNot reported16.3%
HistoryNot reportedNot reported1.8%
OtherNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Total100.0%0.00%10003.00%

Source Document