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%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
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.
Tuition & Fees Changes
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.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
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 | |
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| 2020-21 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,000 | 25.00% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,000 | |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
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% |
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| 2018-19 | $17,009 | $17,009 | 1.13% |
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| 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% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between American University and similar schools.