American's tuition & fees has increased from $43,103 (2015) to $58,771 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 36.35% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $27,898 (year 2015) to $36,754 (year 2025).
American's tuition increase rate is higher than the District of Columbia's average increase rate of 11.40%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 31.01% from 2015 ($60,586).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, American's COA is $79,371, which is increased by 4.20% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to American's COA over the past 10 years.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $60,586 | $60,586 | - |
| 2016-17 | $62,272 | $62,272 | 2.78% |
| 2017-18 | $64,234 | $64,234 | 3.15% |
| 2018-19 | $66,268 | $66,268 | 3.17% |
| 2019-20 | $67,694 | $67,694 | 2.15% |
| 2020-21 | $69,366 | $69,299 | 2.47% |
| 2021-22 | $68,512 | $68,512 | -1.23% |
| 2022-23 | $71,703 | $71,703 | 4.66% |
| 2023-24 | $76,175 | $74,659 | 6.24% |
| 2024-25 | $79,371 | $82,373 | 4.20% |
The tuition & fees have increased 36.35% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $57,952. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at American University over last the 10 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Graduate | Change By Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $43,103 | $27,898 | - |
| 2016-17 | $44,853 | $29,112 | 4.06% |
| 2017-18 | $46,615 | $30,246 | 3.93% |
| 2018-19 | $48,459 | $31,446 | 3.96% |
| 2019-20 | $49,889 | $31,113 | 2.95% |
| 2020-21 | $51,361 | $35,524 | 2.95% |
| 2021-22 | $51,334 | $38,456 | -0.05% |
| 2022-23 | $53,889 | $39,126 | 4.98% |
| 2023-24 | $56,543 | $33,239 | 4.92% |
| 2024-25 | $58,771 | $36,754 | 3.94% |
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,000, and it has increased 25.00% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $800 | - |
| 2016-17 | $800 | |
| 2017-18 | $800 | |
| 2018-19 | $800 | |
| 2019-20 | $800 | |
| 2020-21 | $800 | |
| 2021-22 | $800 | |
| 2022-23 | $800 | |
| 2023-24 | $1,000 | 25.00% |
| 2024-25 | $1,000 |
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 14.49% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 20.43% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at American University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | $16,683 | $16,683 | - |
| 2016-17 | $16,619 | $16,619 | -0.38% |
| 2017-18 | $16,819 | $16,819 | 1.20% |
| 2018-19 | $17,009 | $17,009 | 1.13% |
| 2019-20 | $17,005 | $17,005 | -0.02% |
| 2020-21 | $17,205 | $17,138 | 1.18% |
| 2021-22 | $16,378 | $16,378 | -4.81% |
| 2022-23 | $17,014 | $17,014 | 3.88% |
| 2023-24 | $18,632 | $17,116 | 9.51% |
| 2024-25 | $19,600 | $22,602 | 5.20% |
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between American University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | $58,771 | $56,543 | 3.94% |
| Bucknell University | $67,812 | $64,772 | 4.69% |
| United States Military Academy | $0 | - | - |
| United States Naval Academy | -$1 | - | - |
| Boston University | $68,102 | $65,168 | 4.50% |
| Loyola University Maryland | $57,150 | $55,480 | 3.01% |
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