American University facts for kids
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| Motto | Pro deo et patria (Latin) |
|---|---|
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Motto in English
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"For God and Country" |
| Type | Private federally chartered research university |
| Established | February 24, 1893 |
| Founder | John Fletcher Hurst |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
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Religious affiliation
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United Methodist Church |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $1.032 billion (2024) |
| President | Jonathan Alger |
| Provost | Vicky M. Wilkins |
| Students | 13,019 (fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 7,571 (fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 3,613 (fall 2023) |
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Other students
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1,835 (fall 2023) |
| Location |
,
District of Columbia
,
United States
38°56′14″N 77°05′13″W / 38.9371°N 77.0869°W |
| Campus | Large City, 90 acres (36 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Eagle |
| Colors | Red Blue White |
| Nickname | Eagles |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Clawed Z. Eagle |
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American University (often called AU or American) is a private university in Washington, D.C., United States. It was created by a special law from the U.S. Congress. Its main campus is about 90 acres (36 hectares) in the Spring Valley and Tenleytown areas of Northwest D.C.
American University was started in 1893 by a Methodist bishop named John Fletcher Hurst. He wanted to create a school that would teach people to serve the public and work with other countries. AU began teaching students in 1914 and welcomed its first undergraduate students in 1925.
The university is connected to the United Methodist Church. However, students do not need to be religious to attend or to study there.
AU has eight different schools and colleges. These include the School of International Service, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Washington College of Law. The university offers more than 160 different study programs. This includes many bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
American University is known for its high level of research. It has over 13,000 students from all 50 U.S. states and 141 countries. About one-fifth of the students are from other countries. Student athletes at AU are called the American Eagles. They compete in NCAA Division I as part of the Patriot League. The university's main library, the Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library, has over one million books.
History of American University
How the University Started
American University was officially created by a law from the U.S. Congress on December 5, 1892. This happened mostly because of John Fletcher Hurst, a Methodist bishop. He wanted to build a school that would train people to work for the government and help others. Bishop Hurst also chose the land for the university, which was then a quiet area outside of Washington, D.C..
It took more than 30 years to gather enough money for the university. It was officially opened on May 15, 1914. Classes started in October 1914 with 28 students. Most of these students were studying for advanced degrees.
American University in the 20th Century
American University held its first graduation ceremony on June 2, 1915.
During World War I, the university allowed the U.S. military to use its land for testing. In 1917, the military divided the campus into two parts. One part was used for advanced research, including new ways to hide things (camouflage). The other part was an experiment station. A big cleanup effort started in the 1990s to remove old materials from these tests. More materials were found in June 2024.
At first, the university only offered advanced degrees, as its founders had planned. But this changed in 1925 when the College of Liberal Arts was created. This college offered degrees for undergraduate students. In 1934, the School of Public Affairs was started. It helped train future government workers.
AU continued to help the U.S. government during World War II. The campus hosted a Navy school for bomb disposal and a barracks for women in the Navy. Because of AU's help during the war, a ship called the SS American Victory was named in its honor.
After World War II, American University grew a lot and changed its structure. In 1949, it joined with the Washington College of Law. Then, several departments became separate schools. These included the School of Business Administration in 1955, the School of Government and Public Administration in 1957, and the School of International Service in 1958.
In the early 1960s, the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency worked with American University on a research project. AU's involvement in politics grew when President John F. Kennedy gave a famous speech at the university's graduation ceremony in Spring 1963. In his speech, Kennedy asked the Soviet Union to work with the United States to reduce tensions during the Cold War.
From 1965 to 1977, the College of Continuing Education offered programs for adults. The Lucy Webb Hayes School of Nursing also offered nursing degrees until 1988. In 1972, several schools and centers were combined into the College of Public and International Affairs.
The university bought the Immaculata Campus in 1986 to get more space. This campus later became the Tenley Campus.
In 1986, construction began on a new sports and event center. It was named after a donor, but his name was later removed when he did not complete his donation.
In 1988, the College of Public and International Affairs was split into two separate schools: the School of International Service and the School of Public Affairs. That same year, the new sports center was finished.
In 1997, American University helped set up the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. This was a two-year agreement that was extended several times. A team from AU moved to Sharjah to help the new university get started and become officially recognized.
American University in the 21st Century
In Fall 2005, the Katzen Arts Center and American University Museum opened. These were built with a gift from Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen. The center shows their art collection and focuses on different types of art working together.
In 2005, the university's president, Benjamin Ladner, left his position. A long-time administrator, Cornelius M. Kerwin, became the interim president and then the permanent president in 2007.
Construction for the new School of International Service building began in 2007 and was finished in 2010. Senator Daniel K. Inouye gave a speech at the building's opening.
In 2015, American University started offering an online MBA program.
In May 2017, Cornelius Kerwin retired as president. In June, Sylvia Mathews Burwell became the 15th president and the first woman to hold that role.
In 2017, Taylor Dumpson became AU's first Black female student body president. On her first day, bananas were found on campus, marked with the initials of a Black sorority. The university called this a "cowardly, despicable act" of racism.
In May 2018, Taylor Dumpson filed a lawsuit against people who had harassed her online. A judge ordered them to pay damages and gave Dumpson a restraining order. In December 2018, she sued another person who had harassed her. That person had to apologize and agree to stop online harassment.
In 2019, the School of Education (SOE) became a separate school from the College of Arts and Sciences. This change was made to encourage more students to become teachers. The school offers studies in teaching, special education, and education policy.
On April 22, 2020, AU announced that it had stopped investing in fossil fuels. This means the university no longer puts its money into companies that produce oil, gas, or coal. This decision came after many students campaigned for it. American University was one of the first universities in the U.S. to do this.
In early August 2023, Sylvia Burwell announced she would step down as president. On July 1, 2024, Jonathan Alger became AU's 16th president.
In November 2024, there were talks about changing the SOE again due to budget concerns. However, in February 2025, a large donation from finance professor H. Kent Baker, in honor of his late wife Linda, helped the school keep its independent status. It was renamed the Linda A. and H. Kent Baker School of Education.
University Campuses
American University has two main campuses for classes and student housing. These are the main campus on Massachusetts Avenue and the East Campus on Nebraska Avenue. The Washington College of Law is now located at the Tenley Campus in Tenleytown. AU also owns other buildings in the surrounding areas.
The first plan for the campus was made by Frederick Law Olmsted. However, it was changed over time because of money issues. The main campus is about 84 acres (34 hectares) and is next to Ward Circle. AU's campus is surrounded by nice neighborhoods in Northwest Washington, D.C. The campus has a main quadrangle with academic buildings, nine dorms, a large arena, and an outdoor theater. The campus is also a public garden and arboretum, with many different kinds of plants and trees.
Tenley Campus Details
The Tenley Campus is about half a mile east of American's main campus. It used to be an all-girls school. The university bought the property in 1987 to use as an extra campus.
Since 2016, the Tenley Campus has been home to the American University Washington College of Law (WCL). Over the years, many dorms and school buildings were updated or replaced to fit the needs of a law school.
For the Class of 2023, most graduates from the WCL found jobs that required a law degree soon after graduating.
Academic Programs
The university has eight main divisions, called colleges or schools. These are where its different study programs are located. For most divisions, undergraduate and graduate classes are in the same place but are part of different programs. These colleges and schools are:
- College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)
- Kogod School of Business (KSB)
- School of Communication (SOC)
- School of Education (SOE)
- School of International Service (SIS)
- Professional Studies and Executive Education
- School of Public Affairs (SPA)
- Washington College of Law (WCL)
Admissions and Student Information
| Undergraduate | |
|---|---|
| White | 55.7% |
| Asian | 6.9% |
| Hispanic | 12.6% |
| Black | 7.8% |
| Two or More Races | 5.7% |
| American Indian | 0.03% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.05% |
| International | 8.1% |
| Unknown | 3.1% |
| Male | 36.7% |
| Female | 63.3% |
| Admissions statistics | |
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2023 entering
classChange vs. 2018 |
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| Admit rate | 47%
(
 +6.8) |
| Yield rate | 26.2%
(
 −0.2) |
| Test scores middle 50%* | |
| SAT EBRW | 670–740 |
| SAT Math | 620–710 |
| ACT Composite | 29–32 |
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Getting into American University is considered "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report. For students starting in Fall 2023, AU received 17,786 applications. About 47% of these students were accepted, and 1,856 chose to enroll. The middle range of SAT scores for accepted students was 670–740 for Reading and Writing, and 620–710 for Math. For the ACT, the middle range was 29–32.
Study Abroad Programs
In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked American University 4th for its study abroad programs. American University has three main programs in Brussels, Belgium; Madrid, Spain; and Nairobi, Kenya. It also works with many other universities around the world.
University Rankings
| THES World | 601–800 |
|---|---|
| USNWR National University | 91 |
| Washington Monthly National University | 103 |
| Forbes | 141 |
American University's undergraduate program was ranked 91st overall among "national universities" by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 rankings. It was also tied for 26th in "Best Undergraduate Teaching" and 38th in "Most Innovative Schools."
In 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2018, The Princeton Review named American University the most politically active school in the nation. In 2006, the Fiske Guide to Colleges called AU a "Best Buy" college. This meant it offered good academics for its cost. American University has also had more students chosen for the Presidential Management Fellows Program than any other university. AU is also often ranked among the top mid-sized universities for students who volunteer for the Peace Corps.
The School of Public Affairs was ranked 10th in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.
Folio Literary Magazine
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Abbreviated title (ISO 4)
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Folio |
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| Discipline | Literary journal |
| Language | English |
| Publication details | |
| Publisher |
American University (United States)
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Publication history
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1984-present |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Indexing | |
| ISSN | 1547-4151 |
| OCLC no. | 20236678 |
| Links | |
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Folio is a literary magazine that started in 1984 at American University. It publishes stories, poetry, art, and true stories twice a year. Folio has also featured interviews with famous writers. Some of the works published in Folio have been recognized with awards.
Sine Institute for Policy and Politics
On September 24, 2018, AU President Sylvia M. Burwell announced the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics. This institute uses AU's location in Washington, D.C., to bring together smart people from different areas. They work to find common ground and solutions for the nation's problems. The Sine Institute started with a talk between President Burwell and Senator Bob Corker.
University Library System
| American University Library | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1926 as Battelle Library |
| Location | Washington, D. C. |
| Collection | |
| Size | over 1 million volumes |
| Access and use | |
| Population served | 10,000 students & 1,000 faculty |
| Other information | |
| Director | Jeehyun Davis |
| Staff | 72 (full-time) |
The Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library and Learning Resources Center is the main library at American University. The University Library is part of a group called the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC). This group includes seven other libraries. The WRLC allows students to borrow books from any of the member libraries.
The Library's Archives and Special Collections holds unique and rare items. It also has information about the university's history, including old papers, recordings, and photos.
Campus Life and Activities
AU has over 150 official student groups on campus. These groups cover many interests, from politics to social activities.
American University has a Model United Nations team. This team has been ranked number 1 in North America since the 2021–2022 school year. The team competes in tournaments and also hosts a Model UN competition for high school students called "AmeriMUNC."
The American University Student Government (AUSG) is the main student governing body. It is known as one of the most active student governments in the United States. The AUSG works to support students and create new programs on campus.
AU has eight student-run media groups. These include The Eagle newspaper, the radio station WVAU, and the American Literary Magazine (AmLit). These groups are managed by a Student Media Board and get money from student activity fees.
The university also owns National Public Radio's main station in the capital, WAMU. This station creates shows that are heard across the country and around the world.
Religious Life on Campus
Even though AU is connected to the United Methodist Church, it has many other religious groups. These include Catholic, Chabad Lubavitch, American University Hillel, and the Jewish Student Association.
Greek Life at AU
American University has different Greek organizations, including fraternities and sororities. These groups are part of the Panhellenic Association (PHA), Interfraternity Council (IFC), and the Intercultural Greek Collective. There are also several independent groups.
Sustainability Efforts
In 2009, an environmental science class at American University studied food waste. They found that removing trays from one dining hall reduced solid waste by almost half. This led to a student campaign to go trayless across the campus.
In 2011, American University received a gold rating for its sustainability efforts. This is the highest possible rating. AU has earned five gold ratings in a row, with the most recent in 2020.
Also in 2011, the School of International Service building received a special certification for its sustainable design.
In 2014, American University was ranked #2 on the Sierra Club's list of the 'Top 10 Greenest Colleges'.
In 2014, the university announced a plan to build a solar farm with George Washington University. By January 2016, this solar farm was providing half of the university's electricity.
In 2018, American University became the first university in the United States to become carbon-neutral. This means it balances the amount of carbon it puts into the air. In 2020, AU announced it had removed all investments in fossil fuels from its endowment.
Athletics and Sports
American University is a member of the Patriot League. It has many sports teams for both men and women. These include basketball, soccer, cross-country, swimming and diving, track, volleyball, field hockey, and lacrosse. The men's team also has wrestling. There are also club sports like tennis, rugby, and ice hockey.
Bender Arena is a large building where many of American's sports competitions take place. It opened on January 23, 1988.
Reeves Field is where AU's soccer team plays. It was named the 2002 College Soccer Field of the Year. It also has a track for the track and field teams.
American University has seven tennis courts and two basketball courts outdoors. AU has hosted the Patriot League tennis championships several times.
On March 14, 2008, AU's men's basketball team won the Patriot League Championship. This earned them a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time. They also won the Patriot League Championship again on March 13, 2009.
Notable People from American University
Many famous people have attended or worked at American University. These include several foreign heads of state, over 30 U.S. senators and representatives, and two governors. The university has also had two Nobel laureates, two Pulitzer Prize winners, and an Academy Award recipient. Many graduates have become ambassadors and leaders in global finance.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Americana (Washington D. C.) para niños
