Washington, District of Columbia · Private · 7,266 undergrads
American University's sticker price was $79,369 a year in 2024-25 (College Scorecard). Students with federal aid paid $41,302 on average after grants; families earning under $30,000 paid $28,397.
What does American University cost?
$41,302 a year
What students who got federal aid paid on average after grants, 2024-25. The sticker price, with housing and food, is $79,369.
For families earning under $30,000, grants took 64% off American University's sticker price.
Business owner, divorced parents, or savings? The averages can't see that; American University's own calculator can.
Compared with colleges people also look at
For families earning $48,000–75,000, American University cost less than Fordham University but more than George Washington University and Rochester Institute of Technology.
of undergrads get a Pell Grant, the federal grant for lower-income students.
$36,349
average grant for students who got aid.
40%
of undergrads take a federal loan.
$22,250
median federal debt at graduation.
Questions people ask
How much does American University cost for a family earning $25,000?
Families earning under $30,000 paid $28,397 a year on average after grants in 2024-25 (students who got federal aid). The sticker price is $79,369. Your own price depends on your family's finances; American University's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.
How much does American University cost for a family earning $40,000?
Families earning $30,000–$48,000 paid $19,487 a year on average after grants in 2024-25 (students who got federal aid). The sticker price is $79,369. Your own price depends on your family's finances; American University's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.
How much does American University cost for a family earning $60,000?
Families earning $48,000–$75,000 paid $27,150 a year on average after grants in 2024-25 (students who got federal aid). The sticker price is $79,369. Your own price depends on your family's finances; American University's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
