Quad

Admissions

Getting in, fall 2024

American admits about 6 in 10 applicants (62%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 74% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.

Fall 2014: 46%Over time

Out of every 100 applicants…

Admitted & enrolled10 of 100 · 1,662 students
Admitted, went elsewhere52 of 100 · 8,978
Not admitted38 of 100 · 6,533

The funnel

Applied
17,173
Admitted
10,640
Enrolled
1,662

Men and women were admitted at similar rates (61% and 62%).

$75 to apply

Grants credit for AP exams

16%

Yield

16% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.

Yield rate vs. every college16%
16%
← 5%higher than 33% of 1,576100% →
Acceptance rate vs. every college62%
62%
← More selectivemore selective than 74% of 1,547Less selective →

Where you stand

How American reads a record

GPA, the high school record, and a college-prep program are required. Scores are optional. 22% of first-years sent an SAT and 8% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores.

What they look at

High school GPA
Required
High school record
Required
Class rank
Not considered
College-prep program
Required
Recommendations
Required
Essay
Required
Legacy status
Not considered
Work experience
Considered
Demonstration of competencies
Not considered
English proficiency test
Required
Other tests
Not considered

Recent change: Stopped considering legacy status in fall 2023.

On the admissions map

PublicPrivateDot size = undergrads

↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)

Most selective zone80090010001100120013001400150016000%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%American University
Acceptance rate → less selective

Test scores

What enrolled first-years scored

The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1370 on the SAT, 200 points above the median for colleges that report scores.

Test policy

Optional

Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.

Where would you land?

SAT total1280–1460median 1370
1000110012001300140015001600
Reading & Writing660–740median 700
500600700800
Math620–720median 670
500600700800

Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint

Who submitted scores?

22%

submitted SAT

8%

submitted ACT

Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.

SAT midpoint vs. every college1370
1370
← 900higher than 87% of 9361535 →

Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)