Admissions · United States
American University Acceptance Rate: Admissions Statistics and TOEFL & IELTS Requirements
American University admitted 65.6% of first-year applicants for fall 2025: 13,741 of 20,960, according to its Common Data Set.
American University TOEFL and IELTS requirements at a glance
| Applying for | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (first-year) | TOEFL iBT85 on the 0–120 scale or 4.5 on the 1–6 scale; no section minimums stated | IELTS Academic6.5 |
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American University, in Washington, DC, publishes its admissions figures through its Office of Institutional Research & Assessment: in the Common Data Set, whose newest edition covers fall 2025, and in its Academic Data Reference Book. This page shows the overall acceptance rate for the last three entering classes, the early decision, international, wait-list and transfer figures AU has published, and its minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores.
Figures read from official sources on · LingoLeap Admissions Research
American University acceptance rate by year
American University acceptance rate by applicant group
| Group | Cycle | Rate | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early decision (ED I and ED II) | As reported in the 2025-26 Common Data Set | 80.6% | 316 admitted of 392 early decision applicants (the edition labels this line 'Fall 2024 entering class') source |
| Early decision (ED I and ED II) | Fall 2024 entering class | 79.8% | 579 admitted of 726 early decision applicants source |
| International | Fall 2025 entering class | 50.5% | 655 admitted of 1,297; 36 enrolled source |
| Out-of-state (US) | Fall 2025 entering class | 67.0% | 12,864 admitted of 19,194 source |
| District of Columbia residents | Fall 2025 entering class | 44.7% | 197 admitted of 441 source |
| International | Fall 2024 entering class | 42.0% | 461 admitted of 1,097; 31 enrolled source |
| Out-of-state (US) | Fall 2024 entering class | 63.8% | 9,957 admitted of 15,605 source |
| District of Columbia residents | Fall 2024 entering class | 43.1% | 195 admitted of 452 source |
| Wait list (admitted of those who accepted a place) | Fall 2025 entering class | 66.2% | 1,182 admitted of 1,785 who accepted a place; 4,928 were offered one source |
| Wait list (admitted of those who accepted a place) | Fall 2024 entering class | 34.6% | 328 admitted of 948 who accepted a place; 4,079 were offered one source |
| Yield (admits who enrolled) | Fall 2025 entering class | 11.2% | 1,545 enrolled of 13,741 admitted source |
| Yield (admits who enrolled) | Fall 2024 entering class | 15.7% | 1,662 enrolled of 10,613 admitted source |
| Yield (admits who registered) | Fall 2023 entering class | 22.0% | 1,856 registered of 8,427 admitted (Academic Data Reference Book) source |
| Transfer | Fall 2025 | 91.7% | 654 admitted of 713; 127 enrolled source |
| Transfer | Fall 2024 | 82.6% | 665 admitted of 805; 119 enrolled source |
What the numbers mean
American University's acceptance rate was 65.6% for fall 2025 (13,741 of 20,960) and 61.9% for fall 2024 (10,613 of 17,154). For fall 2023 its Academic Data Reference Book reports 8,427 admitted of 17,786 first-year applicants (47.4%); that book's fall 2024 and fall 2025 figures match the Common Data Set exactly, so the three years are comparable. AU has admitted more students each year while its entering class shrank, from 1,856 in fall 2023 to 1,545 in fall 2025, so the share of admitted students who enrol fell from 22.0% to 11.2%.
AU has two binding early decision rounds (ED I closing 1 November, ED II closing 15 January) and a non-binding early action round closing 1 November. Its 2024-25 Common Data Set reports 579 of 726 early decision applicants admitted (79.8%). The 2025-26 edition reports 316 of 392 (80.6%) but labels that line 'Fall 2024 entering class', which conflicts with the 2024-25 edition, so treat the newer figure with care. AU does not report early action counts.
Most applicants come from other US states: 19,194 of 20,960 for fall 2025. International applicants were admitted at 50.5% for fall 2025 (655 of 1,297) and 42.0% for fall 2024 (461 of 1,097), but few enrol: 36 and 31 respectively. Transfer applicants were admitted at 91.7% for fall 2025 (654 of 713) and 82.6% for fall 2024.
All first-year applicants, including US citizens, must show English proficiency, either through their curriculum or a test. AU's published minimum test scores are TOEFL 85 (or 4.5 on the 1–6 scale), IELTS 6.5 and Duolingo 120; it states no section minimums. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission, and AU may still ask for additional test scores.
American University TOEFL and IELTS requirements
Minimums for international applicants from the university's own pages. Since 21 January 2026 TOEFL iBT reports a 1–6 band score; the notes give the older 0–120 equivalent where the university states one. Convert TOEFL and IELTS scores.
Undergraduate (first-year)
TOEFL iBT: 85 on the 0–120 scale or 4.5 on the 1–6 scale; no section minimums stated
IELTS Academic: 6.5
Duolingo English Test 120, PTE 60, Cambridge English 176, LanguageCert Academic 70 or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 610 also meet the requirement. Proficiency can also be shown by curriculum. Only official scores are accepted, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
American University: First-Year International Applicants (English Proficiency) · checked 26 October 2026
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FAQ
What is American University's acceptance rate?
American University admitted 13,741 of 20,960 first-year applicants for fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 65.6%, according to its Common Data Set. The rate was 61.9% for fall 2024 and 47.4% for fall 2023 (from AU's Academic Data Reference Book).
What is American University's early decision acceptance rate?
AU's 2024-25 Common Data Set reports 579 of 726 early decision applicants admitted (79.8%). Its 2025-26 edition reports 316 of 392 (80.6%), though it labels that line with the fall 2024 entering class. The figures combine the ED I and ED II rounds.
What is American University's international acceptance rate?
AU admitted 655 of 1,297 international first-year applicants for fall 2025 (50.5%) and 461 of 1,097 for fall 2024 (42.0%).
What is American University's transfer acceptance rate?
AU admitted 654 of 713 transfer applicants for fall 2025 (91.7%) and 665 of 805 for fall 2024 (82.6%).
What TOEFL score does American University require?
AU's minimum TOEFL iBT score for first-year applicants is 85, or 4.5 on the 1–6 scale. It does not publish section minimums. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
What IELTS score does American University require?
AU's minimum IELTS score for first-year applicants is 6.5 overall. It does not publish band minimums.