Affordable for lower and middle-income families through substantial aid. Higher-income families pay closer to sticker price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at American University
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$57K
+
Room
$17K
+
Books
$1,000
=
Sticker Price
$71,549
$57K+$17K+$1,000=$71,549
Your Family Income
Sticker
$71,549
−
Your Aid
$48,072
=
Net Price
$23,477
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
American University Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$71,549
Tuition and Fees
$56,543
Room and Board
$17,012
Books and Supplies
$1,000
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$29,604
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$41,945
American University Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$21,176
$30–48k
$18,630
$48–75k
$23,477
$75–110k
$34,587
$110k+
$53,257
Understanding Your Aid Package
American University has a sticker price of $71,549 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $71,549/year
Average aid: $29,604 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$23,477/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$21,176/year
13% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
13%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
16%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$22,750
Range (25th–75th)$10,750 – $27,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$36,276
Debt Manageability
0.29x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$77,370
vs $63,066 peer avg(+$14,304)
Earnings Growth
+26%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-18,562
3th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$51,260
25th %ile
$112,884
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about American University Cost & Financial Aid
American University's published tuition is $71,549 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $23,477—a difference of $48,072.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $21,176 at American University. 13% of students receive Pell Grants.
American University offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for American University graduates is $22,750, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $241 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $53,257 at American University—still $18,292 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
