American University

What is the cost of studying for a year at American University?

American University has a high published price, and it charges the same undergraduate tuition to DC residents and students from elsewhere. For 2024-25, reported full-time undergraduate tuition was $57,952, with $819 in required fees. Those amounts do not include living expenses.

• 2024-25 undergraduate tuition and required fees: $58,771.
• Reported typical annual housing and dining charges: $21,060 combined.
• Reported books and supplies allowance: $1,200.

Together, those reported items total $81,031 for an academic year. That is not a complete cost-of-attendance budget: transportation, personal expenses, and any program-specific costs can add to it. Housing charges also depend on the room and meal plan selected. The figures above belong to the same reporting year and should not be combined with a different year's tuition to create a single annual estimate.

Published price is not the same as an individual student's net price after grants and scholarships. In 2024-25 reporting, 83% of students received some form of financial aid. Average net price varied substantially by family-income group: it was $20,444 for families with income up to $48,000 and $53,673 for families above $110,000. Those are group averages, not offers to individual families. Applicants seeking aid should complete the required financial-aid forms by the relevant deadlines and compare their own aid offer with the full annual budget, including costs that may not appear on a tuition bill.

What are the work-study opportunities at American University?

American University offers student employment and career-development services, but a campus job, Federal Work-Study award, and internship serve different purposes. Federal Work-Study is a need-based federal aid program for eligible students. An award permits a student to seek qualifying paid work; it is not an automatic job or an upfront reduction in the tuition bill.

Students may also pursue campus jobs outside Federal Work-Study. Pay depends on work performed and hours available, and the university's student employment resources are the appropriate place to check current openings and application procedures. Off-campus employment may be possible, but only approved positions qualify for Federal Work-Study funding.

American University's career center offers individual career counseling, résumé help, job-search resources, employer events, and alumni networking opportunities. Students can use those services to explore majors, look for internships, and prepare applications. Internships are not required of every student, and access to career services should not be mistaken for a verified job-placement outcome. In the reported aid data, 38% of students had student loans, underscoring the importance of comparing expected job income with the amount a student may need to borrow.