American University SAT and ACT scores
Washington, DC · private college · 7,817 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as American University reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
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Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for American University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to American University scored 1280 to 1460, with an average of 1381. A score at or above 1370 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for American University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 29 to 32. A 32 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does American University require the SAT or ACT?
American University reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does American University accept the CLT?
American University is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in District of Columbia with similar scores
- George Washington UniversitySAT 1350–1500
- Georgetown UniversitySAT 1390–1550
- Howard UniversitySAT 1090–1320
- Gallaudet UniversitySAT 780–1022
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Pepperdine UniversitySAT 1290–1450
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusSAT 1280–1460
- Clark UniversitySAT 1288–1460
- Brigham Young UniversitySAT 1270–1460
- Gettysburg CollegeSAT 1270–1460
- St. John's CollegeSAT 1290–1460
More about American University
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: American University (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026