The 2025 tuition & fees of American University is $58,771 and the 2025 graduate school tuition & fees is $36,754. Its undergraduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average tuition for R2 Universities' tuition of $31,790.
Based on the last year increase rate, The 2026 estimated tuition & fees at American is $61,087 for District of Columbia residents and $61,087 for out-of-state students, a 3.9% increase compared to 2025's rate.
| Year | Tuition & Fees | R2 Universities' Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | $56,543 | $30,674 |
| 2024-2025 | $58,771 | $31,790 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 3.94% | 3.64% |
| 2025-2026 Estimate | $61,087 | $32,947 |
The living costs at American is $19,600 when living on campus. The on-campus living costs increased by 5.20% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 32.05%.
The American's 2025 COA is $79,371 for on-campus living and off-campus COA is $82,373.
51% of enrolled students have received grants or scholarships, and the average aid amount is $33,548. It could cover 57.08% of the full tuition amount.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $45,823.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $58,771 | |
| Room & Board | $17,982 | $19,336 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,618 | $3,266 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,000 | |
| COA | $79,371 | $82,373 |
| COA with Financial Aid | $45,823 | $48,825 |
American's 4-years tuition is $240,707, based on current tuition and change rate.
Since the tuition & fees at American University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $59,328 | $59,890 | $60,458 | $61,031 | $240,707 |
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $59,890 | $60,458 | $61,031 | $61,609 | $242,988 |
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $60,458 | $61,031 | $61,609 | $62,193 | $245,291 |
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $61,031 | $61,609 | $62,193 | $62,783 | $247,616 |
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $61,609 | $62,193 | $62,783 | $63,378 | $249,963 |
Based on recent tuition increase rate, for the students who were admitted in Fall 2025, the estimated 4-years COA is $325,557.
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $80,170 | $80,977 | $81,793 | $82,617 | $325,557 |
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $80,977 | $81,793 | $82,617 | $83,450 | $328,837 |
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $81,793 | $82,617 | $83,450 | $84,291 | $332,150 |
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $82,617 | $83,450 | $84,291 | $85,141 | $335,498 |
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $83,450 | $84,291 | $85,141 | $85,999 | $338,880 |
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $191,365.
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $46,622 | $47,429 | $48,245 | $49,069 | $191,365 |
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $47,429 | $48,245 | $49,069 | $49,902 | $194,645 |
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $48,245 | $49,069 | $49,902 | $50,743 | $197,958 |
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $49,069 | $49,902 | $50,743 | $51,593 | $201,306 |
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $49,902 | $50,743 | $51,593 | $52,451 | $204,688 |
The graduate school tuition at American University is $36,754. Detailed graduate program tuition and majors can be found at American graduate program page.
American University has a law school and its tuition is different from other graduate programs, usually higher. The law school tuition is $71,852. See the detailed law school tuition at Washington College of Law page.
| Year | Gradaute Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | $33,239 |
| 2024-2025 | $36,754 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 10.57% |
| 2025-2026 | $40,641 |
For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at American is $1,930. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $2,095.
| Year | Tuition Per Credit Hour | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2023-2024 | $1,856 |
| 2024-2025 | $1,930 | |
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $2,007 | |
| Graduate | 2023-2024 | $2,077 |
| 2024-2025 | $2,095 | |
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $2,113 |
The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at American. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.
The following table compares tuition & fees between American University and its similar schools.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| American University | $58,771 | |
| Boston University | $68,102 | |
| Colgate University | $70,306 | |
| United States Military Academy | $0 | $0 |
| Loyola University Maryland | $57,150 | |
| Lehigh University | $64,980 | |
The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $325,557. The tuition and fees are around $61,031 per year, totaling about $240,707 over four years.
The undergraduate tuition at American is a little bit higher than the average for similar schools ($50,844 - private (not-for-profit) Research University (high research activity)).
The graduate tuition at American is a little bit higher than the average for similar schools ($30,754 - private (not-for-profit) Research University (high research activity)).
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