American University
Washington, District of Columbia
American University is a private institution in Washington, District of Columbia with 7,593 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $56,543 compared with a District of Columbia nursing-school average of $38,427. The school reports a graduation rate of 78.5%, median earnings of $77,370, and median federal debt of $22,750.
$56,543 is higher than the state average of $38,427.
78.5% is higher than the state average of 66.5%.
$77,370 is higher than the state average of $63,066.
About American University
| Location | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Institution Type | Private Nonprofit |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.american.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $56,543 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $56,543 |
| Total Enrollment | 7,593 |
| Acceptance Rate | 47.4% |
| Graduation Rate | 78.5% |
| Retention Rate | 86.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $77,370 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,750 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $241 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 12.7% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 35.0% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
12.7% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 35.0% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at American University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $226,172, while the reported median debt is $22,750 with an estimated monthly payment of $241. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (56.9%), followed by Hispanic students (12.8%) and Black students (7.9%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($77,370) divided by median debt ($22,750)