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Key Stats at a Glance AU Students’ Success:

From hands-on experience to impactful careers, AU students measure up.

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:

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Results are for May 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.

$65,909: 2023 undergraduate class average salary within six months of graduation

Reported salary for May 2023 graduates within six months of graduating, for those working full-time.

Where AU Graduates Land

59% of bachelor's degree graduates working in for-profit organizations
25% of bachelor's graduates working for nonprofits
14% of bachelor's graduates working in government

Results are for May 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.

Hands-On Learning, Unforgettable Experiences

#19 for Internships, US News and World Report 2025
86% of undergrads participated in an internship
#4 for Study Abroad, US News and World Report 2025
60% of undergrads took advantage of study abroad

Results are for May 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.

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Student Success Stats from Acceptance to Graduation

Coordinated Care Model

Students learning in a classroom environment

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.Ěý


Student Thriving

New student and her dad walk up the steps into orientation

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

Student works on river water testing during 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.Ěý


Career Readiness

Student meeting potential employer at AU career fair

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:Ěý78.5%*

  • Graduating Class of 2022:Ěý79.5%*

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