Your chances of getting into American University
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at AU is 40.6%. Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in District Of Columbia and the 166th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into AU and can you get accepted?
AU is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 7,926 out of the 19,510 who applied were admitted.
American University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into AU?
41% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to American University you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1360 on the SAT
- Score 30 on the ACT
AU GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into American University?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into AU are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.
Even with a competitive GPA, admission to AU will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at AU is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since AU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.7 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.
AU SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to American University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 25% of students submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 660 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 630 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1290 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 730 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 700 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1430 |
| Average SAT Score | 1360
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to American University?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at AU is 1360 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1290-1430. Students who get into American University score in the top 13 percent of all SAT test takers.. AU ranks #3 in District Of Columbia and #125 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1360 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. AU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1290 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1290, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1220, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
American University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1360 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1360, you have around a 41% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 57% chance of getting in.
AU ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 29 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 25 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 29 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 35 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 30 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 32 |
| Average ACT Score | 30
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into AU?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to AU is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 32. The school ranks #3 in District Of Columbia and #119 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.
17 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to American University.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as American University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into AU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 41% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 62% with a 32 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 13,062 | 6,354 | 19,510 |
| Accepted | 5,466 | 2,417 | 7,926 |
| Acceptance Rate | 42% | 38% | 41% |
| Enrolled | 1,186 | 575 | 1,761 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 22% | 24% | 22% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2024 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 15, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to American University is $75.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to American University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because AU is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1360 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1430 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to American University often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=131159 IPEDS survey data for American University.
FAQs
Does American University prefer SAT or ACT?
25% of students submit their SAT scores to AU. 17% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into American University?
41% of those who apply are granted admission to AU. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for American University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1290 and 1430. The average SAT score is 1360. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for American University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 29 and 32. The average ACT score is 30. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.