# American University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/american-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Mid-Atlantic
- **Enrollment:** 7,266
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

Seventy-seven percent of students graduate from American University, a solid figure that speaks to student support and engagement. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the school attracts a diverse range of applicants. Enrollment sits at 7,266, creating a vibrant campus atmosphere in Washington, DC.

Graduates from American University earn an average of $77,370 within ten years of completing their degree. While mobility data is not available, the earnings potential suggests that students can expect a strong return on their investment. The school’s focus on fields like social sciences, business, and communications positions graduates well for careers in high-demand areas.

The net price for attending American University is $41,943, with a median debt of $22,750. This financial landscape means students need to plan carefully. Those who thrive here are often driven individuals interested in public service, communications, and creative fields. The relatively low Pell Grant rate of 14% indicates a student body that may be less reliant on federal aid, which can reflect broader socioeconomic factors among enrollees.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 62% |
| SAT Average | 1381 |
| ACT Midpoint | 31 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $58,771 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $58,771 |
| Average Net Price | $41,943 |
| Median Debt | $22,750 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 14% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 38% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $23,233 |
| $30K-$48K | $20,444 |
| $48K-$75K | $26,035 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $53,673 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 77% |
| Retention Rate | 88% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $61,328 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $70,443 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $77,370 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.29x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 128.44% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 3637.7% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 353.1% |
| Parent Median Income | $135,700 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.87 |
| Friending Bias | -0.01 |
| Volunteering Rate | 17.9% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Innovation (Opportunity Insights Patent Data)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Inventor Rate | 0.281% |
| Total Patents | 18 |
| Total Citations | 33 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Social Sciences | 36% |
| Business & Marketing | 13% |
| Communications | 7% |
| Criminal Justice | 5% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 5% |
| Psychology | 4% |
| Health Professions | 3% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 3% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 7 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #7 in [Best Colleges for Building Social Capital](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-capital)
- #17 in [Colleges Getting More Accessible Over Time](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/mobility-trend-improving)
- #21 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Criminal Justice](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-criminal-justice)
- #33 in [Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-repayment-rates)
- #33 in [Most Accessible Elite Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-accessible-elite)
- #34 in [Colleges With the Highest Mobility Rates](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-mobility-rate)
- #34 in [Best Success Rate for Low-Income Students](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-success-rate-low-income)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "American University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/american-university