Is American test optional?

We haven't confirmed American's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is American's acceptance rate?

62% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 10,640 of 17,173 applicants were admitted. Applications held near 17,173, and American's admit rate went from 35% to 62%.

What ACT score do you need for American?

8% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 29–32, with a median of 31. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1300–1430 works out to about 28–32.

Does applying early decision help at American?

80% of early decision applicants were admitted (579 of 726), against 62% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

How many students get off the waitlist at American?

328 of the 948 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 35%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for American? (Middle 50%: 1300–1430)

First-year students at American who sent an SAT scored 1300–1430, with a median of 1370 (Common Data Set 2024–25). American admits 62% of applicants.

American University · Washington, DC

Where your score lands at American

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1300–1430, median 1370

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier American is for you and whether to send your score.

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American by the numbers

Admit rate: 62%
Middle 50% SAT: 1300–1430
Median SAT: 1370
About on the ACT: 28–32
Sent an SAT: 22%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

American admit rate over 10 years

Applications held near 17,173, and American's admit rate went from 35% to 62%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	17,173	10,640	62%
2023	17,786	8,427	47%
2022	19,510	7,926	41%
2021	19,650	12,594	64%
2020	20,036	7,744	39%
2019	18,545	6,691	36%
2018	18,984	5,988	32%
2017	18,699	5,498	29%
2016	19,325	5,008	26%
2015	16,735	5,860	35%

In fall 2024, 1,662 of the 10,640 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at American

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1250Far reachHold
1250–1290ReachHold
1300–1360TargetHold
1370–1420TargetSend
1430 and upLikelySend

11501250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

American SAT sections and ACT

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	620	670	710
SAT Reading and Writing	660	700	740
SAT total	1300	1370	1430
ACT composite	29	31	32

Of enrolled first-year students, 22% sent an SAT and 8% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

American early decision and waitlist

Early decision

579 of 726 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision80%
All applicants62%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Waitlist

4,079 applicants were offered a spot, 948 took it, and 328 were admitted from it.

35%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

American cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $41,943; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 75%
Median earnings: $77,370; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 8,674

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like American

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Washington, DC

Every college for an SAT of1300 1370 1430

Sources

American Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
American website
American University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1300–1430, and the median was 1370. At 1370 or higher you're above half of them. American admits 62% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$