2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$28,622
Net Price
64%
Admitted
19%
Enrolled
79%
Graduation Rate
12/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
American University
is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 14,852. In 2021, there were 93 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #4 in District of Columbia and ranks #288 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
93
Total Enrollment
14,852
Type
Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Ranking for American University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
District of Columbia Rank
Combining ranking factors for 8 schools that offer psychology degrees in District of Columbia, American University ranks #4.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., American University ranks #288.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, American University offers General Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers General Psychology. At the doctorate level Clinical Psychology and Counseling and Applied Psychology are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Clinical Psychology | – | – | 3 |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | – | 3 |
| General Psychology | 65 | 22 | – |
| Total Graduates | 65 | 22 | 6 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 19,650 students applied to the American University. The university admitted 64% and 19% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for District of Columbia universities is 15,849. On average, all District of Columbia institutions admit 58% and 31% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of American University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 90%. Compared to all District of Columbia four or more years colleges, the percentage is 84%.
The overall graduation rate for American University is 79%, compared to 67% for all District of Columbia universities.
Compare AU to District of Columbia Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of American University to the average of all District of Columbia four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
AU
19,650
Applicants
64%
Percent Admitted
19%
Percent Enrolled
90%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
79%
Graduation Rate
DC Colleges
15,849
Applicants
58%
Percent Admitted
31%
Percent Enrolled
84%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
67%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 853 or 53% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 765 or 47% part-time faculty members employed at American University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 812 or 50%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
AU
12 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
53%
Percent Full-Time
47%
Percent Part-Time
50%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
DC Colleges
11 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
60%
Percent Full-Time
40%
Percent Part-Time
54%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at American University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $50,542, and the average cost for books and supplies is $800.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $37,447 and the average cost for graduate fees is $1,009.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend American University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for American University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $15,150 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $1,228 |
| Total Living Expenses | $16,378 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $50,542 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $800 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $67,720 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $37,447 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $1,009 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $38,456 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend American University is $28,622. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Compare American University to all District of Columbia universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
AU
$67,720
Cost to Attend
$30,651
Average Financial Aid
81%
Percent Receiving Aid
$28,622
Net Price
DC Colleges
$53,213
Cost to Attend
$23,647
Average Financial Aid
83%
Percent Receiving Aid
$24,492
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 1,289 or 81%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 3,521 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $30,651.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 3,521 | $30,651 |
| Pell Grants | 1,133 | $4,948 |
| Federal Student Loans | 2,656 | $5,978 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the American University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
AU
3,521
Grant or Scholarship Aid
48%
Grants or Scholarships
1,133
Number of Pell Grants
15%
Pell Grants
2,656
Federal Student Loans
36%
Federal Student Loans
DC Colleges
3,531
Grant or Scholarship Aid
53%
Grants or Scholarships
1,270
Number of Pell Grants
19%
Pell Grants
1,858
Federal Student Loans
28%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for District of Columbia.
