Campus & Student Life at American University

Home to about 7,953 undergraduates in 2020, The American University is a large, private university located in Washington, District of Columbia. This urban setting might be best suited for students who like the fast-paced city life. Should you tire of the campus however, The American University offers a “study abroad” program. Please note, some classes/degrees offered by The American University can be taken “online” so keep that in mind when reviewing this report. For more context, you might also check out our The American University Guide to Distance and Online Learning.

American University is Affiliated With the United Methodist Faith.

Some, but not all, schools with a religious affiliation may require a statement of faith or religious studies component. Contact the school to see what their requirements are. If an affinity with the United Methodist faith interests you, check out our ranking of The Best United Methodist Colleges and Universities.

The American University Has a Disability Services Site

Individuals with disabilities make up 9.0% of the student population at The American University. For more information on policies and accommodations that the university provides to ensure all students get the opportunity to participate, you can visit The American University Disability Services.

The American University for the Military

While not a "service academy", The American University does offer support for veterans and those seeking a career in the armed forces. Undergraduates have access to one or more ROTC programs and there is an active student veterans group on campus. For more information on policies related to veterans, you can visit The American University Veteran Services . For more information, check out our The American University for Veterans Guide.

The American University offers On-Campus Day Care

For students with young families, The American University does offer some day care. Programs like this are often in very high demand, so be sure to inquire as soon as you can.

Freshmen Living Arrangements at American University

The American University offers on-campus housing, but freshmen are not required to take advantage of it. In the end though, most do choose to live in the dorms.

* Data compiled from students who received financial aid, including loans.

Full-time vs. Part-time Studies at American University

The American University has a comparatively large, student body. There were 7,953 undergraduates in 2020. Full-time attendance was 7,453 (93.7%). Part-time attendance was 500 (6.3%).

American University is Ranked #130 for Overall Diversity

Compared to other colleges and universities across the nation, The American University receives top marks for overall diversity. We rank The American University #130 out of 3,451.

The chart below shows each element that we looked at to determine this ranking, and how that metric compares to the national average. 100 would indicate excellent diversity in each category, and 1 would mean poor diversity.

You can learn more about the diversity of the student body at The American University by looking closer at the ethnic,  gender,  age, and geographic diversity metrics from the The American University Diversity Guide.

American University Competes in the NCAA

The American University has a total of 303 student athletes, 132 men and 171 women who compete in inter-collegiate athletics.

Athletics Financing

For more information about athletics including per-team sizes, coaching and scholarships check out our Guide to American University Athletics