Rankings of American University

The American University, usually referred to as AU, is a privately funded research institution of higher education based in Washington, D.C. The university’s main campus can be found in Ward Circle, where roughly 14,300 students study or live in residential complexes. Students have the opportunity to participate in numerous research projects related to major social issues.

Latest ranking updates for American University
  • March 2024: Scimago Institutions announced latest results of Scimago Institutions Rankings with American University in position 1815.
  • December 2023: American University ranks 1662 in the latest URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance from Urap .
  • December 2023: Publication of QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. Ranking position #841.
  • October 2023: Publication of GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking (Textile Science and Engineering). Ranking position #201.

University rankings

    • #137 
    • #138 
    Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
    [Published 14 September, 2021]
    • #118 
    • #601 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #119 
    • #791 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 27 June, 2023]
    • #104 
    • #105 
    US News Best National Universities
    [Published 17 September, 2023]
    • #133 
    • #133 
    Forbes: America's Top Colleges
    [Published 30 August, 2022]
    • #185 
    • #189 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #137 
    • #590 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #156 
    • #159 
    Washington Monthly - National Universities
    [Published 28 August, 2022]
    • #203 
    • #204 
    Kiplinger's Best College Values
    [Published 31 July, 2019]
    • #17 
    • #17 
    The Princeton Review: Top 50 Green Colleges
    [Published 26 October, 2021]
    • #284 
    • #1815 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #213 
    • #1003 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #184 
    • #851 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #219 
    • #1662 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 19 December, 2023]
    • #66 
    • #225 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #88 
    • #243 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #86 
    • #240 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #437 
    • #440 
    MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value
    [Published 16 May, 2022]
    • #111 
    • #147 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #167 
    • #167 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #107 
    • #149 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #132 
    • #841 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #166 
    • #573 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #29 
    • #401 
    THE World University Impact Rankings - Overall
    [Published 01 June, 2023]
    • #128 
    • #566 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Business

    • #5 
    • #9 
    Public Administration
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Computer Science

    • #283 
    • #284 
    Computer Science
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]

Education

    • #153 
    • #401 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Law

    • #73 
    • #73 
    Law
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #58 
    • #76 
    Law
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #25 
    • #86 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #98 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Medicine & Health

    • #152 
    • #153 
    Nursing & Health Care
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #63 
    • #201 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #89 
    • #342 
    Economics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #39 
    • #143 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #126 
    • #401 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #83 
    • #301 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #117 
    • #351 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #53 
    • #101 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for American University

Public Administration GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#9 
Business
Law US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#73 
Law
Sociology GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#101 
Social Studies & Humanities
Nursing & Health Care Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#153 
Medicine & Health
Computer Science Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#284 
Computer Science
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#401 
Education

About American University

PROS

  • Students have the opportunity to work on reputable research projects, usually related to political and social science.
  • Times Higher Education has ranked AU among the top 500 universities in the world. This guarantees students a certain level of quality, and also helps when applying for high -level job positions.
  • Abundant clubs, fraternities, and sororities provide students with lots of means of socializing and making connections on campus.

CONS

  • According to a number of students, the university tends to generate social cliques, which can be hard to overcome.
  • Not a lot of importance is given to sports on campus, which is disappointing for those who would like to practice a sport, or support a university team.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1926
Telephone:
+1 (202) 885 1000
Address:
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
20016-80, Washington
USA
Website:
https://www.american.edu/
Social:
  • Graduate Studies - Why AU? - Part 2
  • 14 Tips for First Years: A Survival Guide - 2015 EDITION
  • Graduate Studies - Why AU? - Part 1

Map of American University

Other universities in Washington:

FAQ

American University ranks #108 in USA in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 1924 universities in USA.

American University ranks #3 in Washington in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 13 universities in Washington.

American University is listed in Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, US News Best National Universities, Forbes: America's Top Colleges, Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only) and more. See all 33 rankings of American University.

American University achieved #17 in The Princeton Review: Top 50 Green Colleges. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for American University.

American University achieved the highest ranking for Business. It is ranked #9 in (Public Administration). See all subject rankings for American University.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings American University ranks #3 among universities in Washington and #108 among universities in USA. See all rankings of American University.

In our meta ranking American University ranks #108 among all universities in USA and Stanford University ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in Washington. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.