Admission & test scores

American University SAT scores and acceptance rate

Admitted students scored 1280–1460 on the SAT, with an ACT midpoint of 31. American University admits 62% of applicants — moderately selective. 88% of first-year students return for a second year.

SAT range1280–1460middle half of admits
ACT midpoint31admitted students
Acceptance rate62%moderately selective
First-year retention88%return for year two

Reading the score band These are the scores admitted students had — not a cut-off.

25th percentile
1280
Average
1381
75th percentile
1460

A quarter of admitted students scored below 1280 and a quarter above 1460. Being under the lower figure does not rule you out — it means the rest of the application has to carry more weight — and being above the upper one does not secure a place at a selective university. This intake sits inside a student body of about 7,266.

Universities with similar scores Useful for building a realistic application list.

UniversityAvg SATACTAcceptanceIn-state tuition
Wheaton College Wheaton, Illinois 1380 30 87% $45,546
Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, New York 1380 — 52% $66,436
Gettysburg College Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 1379 30 39% $66,640
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York 1383 31 67% $59,274
Pepperdine University Malibu, California 1384 28 63% $69,918
Willamette University Salem, Oregon 1377 — 77% $51,156

Getting in is the first question, not the last

Admission data says nothing about what the degree costs or returns. Before accepting an offer, read the net price for your family's income and the earnings of previous graduates — a place at a selective university financed with heavy borrowing can be a worse outcome than a place at a less selective one that costs little.

American University admission: common questions

What SAT score do you need for American University?
The middle half of admitted students scored between 1280 and 1460 on the SAT, with an average of 1381. A score inside that band is competitive; below it you would be relying on the rest of the application.
What ACT score does American University require?
The ACT midpoint of admitted students is 31.
How hard is it to get into American University?
American University admits 62% of applicants, which is moderately selective. Of those who enrol, 88% return for a second year.
Does American University require SAT or ACT scores?
This page reports what admitted students scored, not what the university requires. Many US universities went test-optional and have not returned to a requirement — always check the admissions page before deciding to skip a test.
What it costs Student loan record Debt vs graduate salary Highest SAT universities Highest acceptance rates SAT & ACT preparation

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, acceptance rate and first-year retention as most recently published. Scores describe past intakes and are not an entry requirement.