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Undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2023-2024
The cost of attendance (COA) for your program includes both direct expenses and indirect expenses for the combined fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
The direct expenses are the items such as tuition or on-campus housing for which American University will bill you directly. The indirect expenses are items for which you may need to pay out of pocket such as off-campus rent, transportation, and books/supplies.
On campus housing is based on the higher of the average or median for the housing units available. Off campus housing and other indirect expenses are based on average costs in your area and may increase or decrease based on the cost of living at that time.
First-Year Students, Living On Campus, 2023-2024
Full-Time Tuition $55,724
Flat fee covering costs for full-time, undergraduate enrollment (12-17 credits per semester) for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
Mandatory Fees $548
Mandatory full-time enrollment fees, including but not limited to sports center, technology, and activities.
Housing $11,402
Average cost for a double-occupancy room on campus.
Food $5,610
Average cost for a meal plan (10-11 meals per week), plus $400 dollars for use at dining venues on campus and designated establishments off campus.
Metro Pass Fees $272
Mandatory fee for unlimited use of Metrorail and bus while university is operational.
Books/Supplies $1,000
Average (non-billed) cost of books and supplies for two semesters (approximately $400 per term); cost varies depending on whether books are new, used, rented, or open-source.
Misc. Transportation $802
Average cost, determined by distance from campus and mode of transportation.
Personal Expenses $760
Average cost for toiletries and other incidental expenses.
Loan Fees $58
Average fees for federal student loans.
Total COA $76,176
Average total cost of AU attendance per undergraduate for 2023-2024. Based on 9 months of full time enrollment of 12-17 credits.
Continuing Students, Living with Relatives, 2023-2024
Full-Time Tuition $55,724
Flat fee covering costs for full-time, undergraduate enrollment (12-17 credits per semester) for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
Mandatory Fees $548
Mandatory full-time enrollment fees, including but not limited to sports center, technology, and activities.
Metro Pass Fees $272
Mandatory fee for unlimited use of Metrorail and bus while university is operational.
Housing $4,000
Off campus housing is based on average costs in the area and may increase or decrease based on the cost of living at that time.
Food $5,536
Estimated food costs based on average costs in the area, which may increase or decrease based on the cost of living at that time.
Books/Supplies $1,000
Average (non-billed) cost of books and supplies for two semesters (approximately $400 per term); cost varies depending on whether books are new, used, rented, or open-source.
Misc. Transportation $1,458
Average cost, determined by distance from campus and mode of transportation.
Personal Expenses $760
Average cost for toiletries and other incidental expenses.
Loan Fees: $80
Average fees for federal student loans.
Total COA $69,378
Average total cost of AU attendance per undergraduate for 2023-2024. Based on 9 months of full time enrollment of 12-17 credits.
Continuing Students, Living On Campus, 2023-2024
Full Time Tuition $55,724
Flat fee covering costs for full-time, undergraduate enrollment (12-17 credits per semester) for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
Mandatory Fees $548
Mandatory full-time enrollment fees, including but not limited to sports center, technology, and activities.
Housing $13,290
Average cost for a double-occupancy room on campus.
Food $5,610
Average cost for a meal plan (10-11 meals per week), plus $400 dollars for use at dining venues on campus and designated establishments off campus.
Metro Pass Fees $272
Mandatory fee for unlimited use of Metrorail and bus while university is operational.
Books/Supplies $1,000
Average (non-billed) cost of books and supplies for two semesters (approximately $400 per term); cost varies depending on whether books are new, used, rented, or open-source.
Misc. Transportation $802
Average cost, determined by distance from campus and mode of transportation.
Personal Expenses $760
Average cost for toiletries and other incidental expenses.
Loan Fees $80
Average fees for federal student loans.
Total COA $78,086
Average total cost of AU attendance per undergraduate for 2023-2024. Based on 9 months of full time enrollment of 12-17 credits.
Continuing Students, Living Off Campus, 2023-2024
Full-Time Tuition $55,724
Flat fee covering costs for full-time, undergraduate enrollment (12-17 credits per semester) for both the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters.
Mandatory Fees $548
Mandatory full-time enrollment fees, including but not limited to sports center, technology, and activities.
Metro Pass Fees $272
Mandatory fee for unlimited use of Metrorail and bus while university is operational.
Housing $9,176
Off campus housing is based on average costs in the area and may increase or decrease based on the cost of living at that time.
Food $5,536
Estimated food costs based on average costs in the area, which may increase or decrease based on the cost of living at that time.
Books/Supplies $1,000
Average (non-billed) cost of books and supplies for two semesters (approximately $400 per term); cost varies depending on whether books are new, used, rented, or open-source.
Misc. Transportation $802
Average cost, determined by distance from campus and mode of transportation.
Personal Expenses $1,522
Average cost for toiletries and other incidental expenses.
Loan Fees $80
Average fees for federal student loans.
Total COA $74,660
Average total cost of AU attendance per undergraduate for 2023-2024. Based on 9 months of full time enrollment of 12-17 credits.