American University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

American University Acceptance Rate

American University is a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of American University is 47.4%. This means that 47 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
• Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.

Selectivity at a Glance

Selective

Selectivity scale: Selective — 47.4% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.70 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.50 – 3.69

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.25

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

American University GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at American University is 3.7. American University is highly selective.

Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.40 and 3.7, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.

Check Your Admission Chances at American University

American University Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into American University Without SAT or ACT?

American University Average SAT Score: 1392

The average SAT score of the admitted students at American University is 1392 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1392 — Competitive

This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1392 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1300, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at American University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1300 then you are below most of the admitted students at American University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1450 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400

Can I get into American University with a 1450 SAT?

With a 1450 SAT Score, your chances of admission at American University are good but the admission staff at American University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

American University ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at American University is 31.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 31 — Very Competitive

This score makes American University very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 31 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into American University with a 33 ACT?

A 33 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at American University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at American University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that American University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether American University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 33 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 31

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for American University

American University Profile

Is a American University Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than American University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Chapman University	Orange, CA	1353	30
Pepperdine University	Malibu, CA	1367	29
Westmont College	Santa Barbara, CA	1367	32
University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, CO	1353	31
University of Denver	Denver, CO	1344	31
United States Air Force Academy	USAF Academy, CO	1362	30
Wheaton College	Wheaton, IL	1363	30
Centre College	Danville, KY	1345	29
St. John's College	Annapolis, MD	1381	31
Emerson College	Boston, MA	1359	32

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as American University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Trinity College	Hartford, CT	1396	32
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	1397	31
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	Terre Haute, IN	1389	32
University of Massachusetts-Amherst	Amherst, MA	1393	31
Rutgers University-New Brunswick	New Brunswick, NJ	1383	31

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than American University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Northeastern University Oakland	Oakland, CA	1472	32
Occidental College	Los Angeles, CA	1461	33
Colorado College	Colorado Springs, CO	1445	33
George Washington University	Washington, DC	1433	33
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	Atlanta, GA	1447	31

Degree Programs at American University

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by American University →

Frequently Asked Questions About American University Admissions