Tuition & net price

How much does American University cost?

Published tuition is $58,771, with a full cost of attendance of $76,058 a year. After aid, families pay between $20,444 and $53,673 depending on income.

Tuition$58,771before aid
Cost of attendance$76,058tuition + living
Lowest net price$20,444families under $30k
Highest net price$53,673families over $110k

What families actually pay Average net price after grants and scholarships, by household income.

Household incomeNet price a yearShare of the sticker price
Under $30,000 $23,233 31%
$30,001–$48,000 $20,444 27%
$48,001–$75,000 $26,035 34%
$75,001–$110,000 $30,063 40%
Over $110,000 $53,673 71%

Net price is the federal measure of what students actually pay: total cost of attendance minus the grant and scholarship aid they receive. It is the only cost figure worth comparing between universities — the published tuition above is a list price that most students never pay in full.

Who pays how The mix of grant aid and borrowing at this university.

On Pell grants
14%
Take federal loans
38%
Typical repayment
$241/mo

A high Pell share means the university enrols many lower-income students, and usually that its net price for those families is well below the sticker price. A high loan share means the gap between aid and cost is being filled with borrowing — the repayment record shows how that works out afterwards.

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How the price compares Universities charging a similar amount in District of Columbia.

UniversityIn-stateOut-of-stateCost of attendanceNet price (under $30k)
Catholic University of America $58,378 $58,378 $75,481 $17,358
George Washington University $67,710 $67,710 $83,856 $17,440
Georgetown University $68,017 $68,017 $88,741 $5,064
Howard University $35,810 $35,810 $54,630 $46,051
Gallaudet University $19,654 $19,654 $40,374 $14,129
University of the District of Columbia $5,662 $12,514 $20,437 $10,268

American University costs: common questions

How much is tuition at American University?
Published tuition is $58,771 a year before aid.
What does American University actually cost after financial aid?
It depends on family income. After grants and scholarships, families earning under $30,000 pay a net $23,233 a year, while families over $110,000 pay $53,673.
What is the total cost of attendance at American University?
$76,058 a year as the institution reports it — tuition, fees, housing, books and living costs combined. Almost nobody pays this in full; the net price above is what families actually pay.
Is American University worth the money?
Graduates earn a median $77,370 ten years after starting, against $22,750 of median debt — see the full payback breakdown for the arithmetic.

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition and cost of attendance are as reported by the institution; net price is the average paid by students receiving federal aid, by household income band. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026.