From application to graduation, American University closely measures our students’ academic success and career paths. We share these insights for transparency and use them to innovate learning pathways and student support resources, giving AU students an edge at every step of their AU journeys.
Responses from incoming first year students for 2021 and 2022:
Results are for May 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.
Reported salary for May 2023 graduates within six months of graduating, for those working full-time.
Where AU Graduates Land
Results are for May 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.
Hands-On Learning, Unforgettable Experiences
Results are for May 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.
Student Success Stats from Acceptance to Graduation
Coordinated Care Model
The Office of Student Thriving and Retention leads a “STAR” action team of over 50 campus colleagues across academic units, student affairs, financial aid, and more. The team meets regularly and coordinates their work to take a holistic and comprehensive approach to students’ success, from pre-enrollment through graduation.
Student Thriving
Navigating a university and figuring out where to go for assistance can be overwhelming. The Office of Student Thriving and Retention, part of the division for Undergraduate Enrollment Management in the Office of the Provost, is here to help every student thrive by helping them take full advantage of AU’s extensive academic resources and individualized support.
Retention Rate, Undergraduate
- 86.1% of students who started in Fall 2022 returned to AU for their second year
- 86.3% of students who started in Fall 2021 returned for their second year
These retention rate stats measure how many students return to AU for their second year of college. We are committed to making our retention rate higher. Among other steps to address this, AU is evolving a “coordinated care model” for the physical, mental, and social well-being of our students—including the future Student Thriving Center on campus.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning, the process of learning by doing, is deeply integrated into an AU education. Students apply their classroom learning through immersion in real-world experiences that enhance their knowledge and build valuable skills. AU provides opportunities for all students—from first-year to graduate studies—to forge individual paths and select experiences that best prepare them for future success.
Career Readiness
AU students explore their current or intended career fields through internships and supervised practical experiences. These hands-on job opportunities allow students to apply what they have learned in their classes while they earn credit in most situations. In 2022, 86 percent of AU undergraduate students and 48 percent of graduate students participated in an internship.
Graduation Rate, Undergraduate
-
Graduating Class of 2023: 78.5%*
-
Graduating Class of 2022: 79.5%*
Students come to AU intending to graduate, yet some don’t reach that goal within four or even six years. We know that students who graduate improve their potential for lifelong success. AU is addressing this with focused efforts including clear, accessible four-year pathways, academic support, mental health and wellness services, and access to financial aid resources, some of which are unique to AU.
*based on 6-year graduation rate