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The real 4-year cost of American University in District of Columbia
Over the 18 years from 2008 to 2026, published tuition and required fees at American University went from $33,283 to $63,499, an average of 3.6% a year. The 2026–27 figure is the school's own announced rate.
2026–27 rate announced: $63,4992026-2027 flat rate $31,340 per semester for 12-17.99 credits; activity and other fees billed separately.source
Read with care: this school's history shows a tuition drop or reset, so a smooth projection may not hold.
2008–2030: history and projection
| Year | Published | Projected estimate | Estimate range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $33,283 | – | – |
| 2009 | $34,973 | – | – |
| 2010 | $36,697 | – | – |
| 2011 | $38,071 | – | – |
| 2012 | $39,499 | – | – |
| 2013 | $40,649 | – | – |
| 2014 | $41,833 | – | – |
| 2015 | $43,103 | – | – |
| 2016 | $44,853 | – | – |
| 2017 | $46,615 | – | – |
| 2018 | $48,459 | – | – |
| 2019 | $49,889 | – | – |
| 2020 | $51,361 | – | – |
| 2021 | $51,334 | – | – |
| 2022 | $53,889 | – | – |
| 2023 | $56,543 | – | – |
| 2026 | $63,499 | $63,499 | – |
| 2027 | – | $65,775 | $65,003–$66,547 |
| 2028 | – | $68,133 | $66,544–$69,742 |
| 2029 | – | $70,576 | $68,120–$73,090 |
| 2030 | – | $73,106 | $69,734–$76,599 |
If you pay full sticker
Projected tuition + fees, entering fall 2026.
| Year 1 | $63,499 |
| Year 2 | $65,775 |
| Year 3 | $68,133 |
| Year 4 | $70,576 |
| 4-year total | $267,984 |
Two aid scenarios
4-year out-of-pocket total.
- $10,000/yr flat scholarship
- $227,984
- Flat aid doesn't grow, so it covers less each year.
- 50%-of-tuition scholarship
- $135,720
- Percentage aid keeps pace with tuition.
On-campus housing & meals
Room & board (housing plus the standard meal plan), on top of tuition.
- Announced 2026–27
- $18,400/ yr
- rising 1.6% / yr
- Projected 4-year add-on
- $75,351
School’s own published rateCommon double $6,260 + Standard meal plan $2,940 a semester.source
Books & supplies typically add ~$1,200 a year (national median, not included).
Run your own numbers
Enter your actual scholarship offer to see your real 4-year total.
See my 4-year cost at American University4-year schools with similar prices in District of Columbia
Closest to American University by published tuition and fees. Similar sticker prices can still compound very differently.
- The Catholic University of America$55,834
- George Washington University$72,770
- Georgetown University$74,705
- Howard University$38,462
- Trinity Washington University$26,110
- Gallaudet University$19,658
- Strayer University-District of Columbia$13,920
- Strayer University-Global Region$13,920
Use this data
Published figures for American University from federal IPEDS data through 2023, free to download or embed with attribution. The embed stays current as the data updates.