American University
American University is a private, nonprofit higher education institution chartered by an Act of Congress, founded in 1893 in Washington, D.C. It serves undergraduate, graduate, professional, and international students through seven schools offering 81 undergraduate degrees and 140+ graduate programs, with revenue from tuition, housing, athletics, and philanthropy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1893
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What American University does
American University is a private, nonprofit higher education institution chartered by an Act of Congress, founded in 1893 and headquartered at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. It operates seven academic units — the College of Arts & Sciences, Kogod School of Business, School of Communication, Baker School of Education, School of International Service, School of Public Affairs, and Washington College of Law — offering 81 undergraduate degrees and over 140 doctoral, master's, and certificate programs. The institution serves traditional undergraduates, graduate and professional students, working professionals, and international learners, with online programs reaching students across all 50 states, DC, and 130 countries. Distinctive offerings include study abroad sites in Nairobi, Brussels, and Madrid covering 100+ countries, NCAA Division I athletics across 16 sports, and a Career Outcomes track that produced a 91% post-graduation employment/graduate school rate and 89% internship completion rate.
Revenue is generated primarily through subscription-style tuition and fees (undergraduate $31,340/semester at 12-17 credits; graduate $2,163/credit; law $34,835/semester full-time), housing and dining plans, athletics multimedia rights via a Van Wagner partnership, and philanthropy anchored by the completed $500M+ 'Change Can't Wait' campaign. The institution distributes nearly $138 million in undergraduate financial aid annually, with 88% of incoming students receiving aid. Underlying technology consists of the Canvas LMS, cloud-based student information systems, the Eagle Access Program materials fulfillment pipeline (via Follett), and a sustainability-focused physical plant including the $109 million Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance (net-zero, LEED Platinum). Distribution combines direct sales-led graduate and professional admissions, community-led undergraduate recruitment leveraging the D.C. location and alumni network, and self-serve online admissions. The university holds 2025 R1 Carnegie Classification status, accrediting recognition from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and is preparing for a leadership transition with President Jonathan Alger departing June 30, 2026 and David Marchick assuming the interim presidency on July 1, 2026.
American University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American University
- Legal name
- American University
- Website
- https://american.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1893
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- American University is a private, nonprofit higher education institution chartered by an Act of Congress, founded in 1893 in Washington, D.C. It serves undergraduate, graduate, professional, and international students through seven schools offering 81 undergraduate degrees and 140+ graduate programs, with revenue from tuition, housing, athletics, and philanthropy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)
Keywords
Where American University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
American University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: Full-time undergraduate tuition at $31,340 per semester for 12-17 credits, with additional mandatory fees including activity, support services, Metro U-Pass, and Eagle Access Program fees totaling approximately $1,185 per semester for full-time students.
- Graduate and Professional Education: Graduate tuition at $2,163 per credit hour, with programs across business, law, education, communication, international affairs, and public affairs schools. Law full-time at $34,835 per semester.
- Athletics Multimedia Rights: Long-term partnership with Van Wagner for development, sales, and activation of corporate partnerships and multimedia assets for 16-sport NCAA Division I athletics program.
- Online and Professional Education: Online graduate degrees, professional certificates, and executive education programs offered through digital delivery. 30% of graduate students earn online degrees.
- Housing and Dining: On-campus housing ranging from $4,605-$9,345 per semester depending on residence hall and occupancy. Meal plans from $2,120-$3,597 per semester.
- Philanthropy and Campaign Giving: Change Can't Wait campaign raised over $500 million, marking completion of largest fundraising campaign in university history. Historic gift from Professor H. Kent Baker named School of Education.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full-Time Undergraduate (12-17 credits) |
| Unit Pricing | Per course | Part-Time Undergraduate (per credit) |
| Unit Pricing | Per course | Graduate Students (per credit) |
| Subscription | Annual | Law Students Full-Time (12-17 credits) |
| Subscription | Annual | On-Campus Housing - Various Options |
| Subscription | Annual | Meal Plans |
| Other | Annual | Total Cost of Attendance 2026-2027 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
American University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American University is a private, nonprofit research university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs across seven schools and colleges, complemented by online graduate degrees, professional and lifelong learning courses, summer programs, and study abroad opportunities. Its offerings are anchored by the Washington, D.C. location, providing students experiential learning through internships with Congress, federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, media outlets, and nonprofit organizations. The university also operates 16 NCAA Division I athletics programs and on-campus housing and dining services.
Product overview
American University is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across seven colleges and schools. The university provides 81 undergraduate degrees and 140+ doctoral, master's, and certificate programs. Core academic units include the College of Arts & Sciences (humanities, sciences, social sciences), Kogod School of Business, School of Communication, Baker School of Education, School of International Service, School of Public Affairs, and Washington College of Law. The university complements traditional on-campus education with online degree and certificate programs, professional development courses through Professional & Lifelong Learning, summer programs, and study abroad opportunities. The recently opened Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance represents the institution's investment in student facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- College of Arts & Sciences: The College prepares students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership by delivering a world-class liberal arts and sciences education.
- Kogod School of Business
- School of Communication
- Baker School of Education
- School of International Service
- School of Public Affairs
- Washington College of Law
Products and services
- College of Arts & Sciences Liberal arts and sciences college offering undergraduate programs and more than 50 graduate degrees and certificates in humanities, arts, sciences, and social sciences.
- Kogod School of Business Business school offering undergraduate and graduate business degrees including MBA, accounting, and finance programs, with real-world experience through consulting projects and co-op programs.
- School of Communication School offering programs in journalism, film, strategic communication, and media studies, with faculty including Emmy, Academy, and Pulitzer Prize winners.
- Baker School of Education School of education providing undergraduate and graduate programs including MAT, MEd, and EdD degrees focused on teacher preparation and education leadership.
- School of International Service Top-10 school of international affairs offering BA, MA, and PhD programs in international relations, development, peace and conflict resolution, and global governance.
- School of Public Affairs Top-ranked school offering programs in public administration, public policy, political science, justice and law criminology, and terrorism and homeland security policy.
- Washington College of Law Nationally ranked law school offering JD, LLM, and other legal degrees focused on impact in Washington D.C. and worldwide.
- AU Online Programs 100% online graduate degree and certificate programs delivered asynchronously for learners worldwide with the same faculty as on-campus programs.
- Professional & Lifelong Learning Career development courses including executive coaching, cybersecurity, project management, and other professional training programs for individuals and organizations.
- Summer Programs Summer courses for current AU students, visiting students, and high school students offering extensive selection fitting into various schedules.
- Study Abroad Programs Study abroad opportunities at AU-operated sites in Nairobi, Brussels, and Madrid, with programs extending to more than 100 countries.
- Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance AU's newly opened net-zero and LEED Platinum-certified athletics and recreational facility featuring innovative sustainability design, expanded student support spaces, and championship-grade athletic venues.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% of undergraduates working, in graduate school, or both within 6 months of graduation
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use American University
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
American University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
American University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- C&S (Civic and Service)flagshipC&S secured an eight-figure investment with $10 million from Einhorn Collaborative to launch a campaign advancing campus civic culture through the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness coalition. The initiative aims to reach 4.5 million students across 400 higher education institutions over five years. AU President Jonathan Alger is founding member of coalition now with 135+ presidents representing diverse institutions.
- Maryland Department of Information TechnologycoreMaryland Department of Information Technology sponsored the 7th Annual Smith Analytics Consortium Datathon for the first time, alongside Deloitte and American University. The competition challenged 21 student teams to develop transportation innovation recommendations using the state's open data portal. The Department has expressed interest in extending the partnership for next year's event.
- DeloittecoreDeloitte collaborated with American University and Maryland Department of Information Technology to host the 7th Annual Smith Analytics Consortium Datathon. The competition used state open data to develop transportation recommendations for Maryland state agencies. Team Syntax Errors won $3,000 for their first-and-last-mile commuter solution covering Baltimore City and four Maryland counties.
- Van WagnercoreVan Wagner, a sports marketing and media company, announced a long-term partnership with American University Athletics to represent the university's multimedia rights. Van Wagner manages development, sales, and activation of corporate partnerships and multimedia assets for the 16-sport NCAA Division I athletics program. The partnership aims to drive sustainable revenue growth, enhance the fan experience, and deliver value to corporate partners aligned with the university's mission.
- Sine Institute of Policy & PoliticscoreThe Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University conducts survey research on young Americans' perspectives on higher education, AI, and civic discourse, generating policy-relevant insights and media coverage.
- Advanced Online (Follett On-Demand)coreAmerican University Athletics launched a new e-commerce retail site, www.shopaueagles.com, in partnership with Advanced Online, a Follett On-Demand online retailer. The site offers officially licensed AU apparel and accessories for alumni, students, and fans across all 16 athletic programs.
- FollettcorePartnership with Follett as AU's Campus Store operator for the Eagle Access Program, providing digital materials automatically via Canvas and physical materials prepared for pickup at the campus store.
- GradGuard (Allianz Global Assistance)minorAmerican University partnered with GradGuard by Allianz Global Assistance to provide Tuition Insurance for students, offering protection against financial losses from serious illness or accident resulting in withdrawal.
- Foreign Policy MagazinecoreForeign Policy Magazine rankings position SIS as a top-10 school of international affairs, providing visibility and credibility for student recruitment globally.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
American University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Tufts University: Private research university of similar size, selectivity, and DC-flagship-program profile (Fletcher School of international affairs), competing for the same policy-oriented graduate students.
- Northeastern University: Private research university with a similarly experiential/co-op-driven model (89% of AU undergrads intern), DC presence, and global programs. Comparable in tuition tier, size, and employer-outcomes positioning.
- Brandeis University: Private research university of comparable size and tuition tier; competing for the same cohort of mid-tier, mission-driven liberal arts students in the mid-Atlantic.
- Syracuse University: Private research university with Maxwell School (public affairs), Newhouse (communication), and Whitman (business) - directly overlapping with AU's SPA, SOC, and Kogod schools at similar scale and tuition tier.
- Boston University: Large private research university of comparable scale (~3,000+ faculty), with parallel offerings in communication, business, international affairs, and law. Competes nationally for the same transfer and out-of-region undergraduate pool.
Direct peers
- Georgetown University: Private research university in Washington, D.C., with overlapping programs in international affairs (FSU), law, public policy, and business. Closest direct competitor for DC-located talent, federal internships, and policy-focused graduate enrollment.
- Howard University: Private research university and HBCU located in Washington, D.C. Overlaps with AU in law, communications, and public affairs programs and competes for the same DC-region undergraduate and graduate talent pool.
- George Washington University: Private research university located in downtown Washington, D.C., with similarly ranked programs in international affairs, public policy, and political science. Competes head-to-head for the same DC-based undergraduate and graduate student segments.
- Georgetown University Law Center / George Washington Law: Direct competitor for AU's Washington College of Law for JD and LLM enrollment, given shared DC location, federal government alumni networks, and bar-passage positioning.
Regional players
- George Mason University: Large public research university in the DC metro (Fairfax, VA) with a strong policy school (Schar) competing on price-value for in-state policy and public administration students versus AU's SPA.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American University social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
American University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
American University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American University
What does American University do?
American University is a private, nonprofit research university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs across seven schools and colleges, complemented by online graduate degrees, professional and lifelong learning courses, summer programs, and study abroad opportunities. Its offerings are anchored by the Washington, D.C. location, providing students experiential learning through internships with Congress, federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, media outlets, and nonprofit organizations. The university also operates 16 NCAA Division I athletics programs and on-campus housing and dining services.
Is American University a public or private company?
American University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American University founded?
American University was founded in 1893. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is American University based?
American University is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does American University make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are graduate and Professional Education, athletics Multimedia Rights, online and Professional Education, housing and Dining and philanthropy and Campaign Giving.
Who are American University's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Tufts University, Northeastern University, Brandeis University, Syracuse University and Boston University. Direct peers are Georgetown University, Howard University, George Washington University and Georgetown University Law Center / George Washington Law. George Mason University is listed as a regional player.
Does American University have an API?
No public API is recorded for American University.
What industry is American University in?
American University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary), with a secondary code of EDAHALAK, Online Nonprofit Universities. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.