American University
(AU)
About
The American University is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Its main campus spans 90 acres on Ward Circle, in the Spring Valley and Tenleytown neighborhoods of Northwest D.C.
Ranking Overview
LatestRanked Top 587 worldwide across 3 major ranking systems
Ranked in 33 subject rankings
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
Key Facts
- Students
- 13,316
- Student-Staff Ratio
- 12.0 : 1
- Int'l Students
- 11%
- Female : Male
- 64 : 36
- Staff
- 3,560
Historical Trend
Longitudinal View
QS
THE
US News
Top Subjects
Best-performing areasSubject Rankings
Detailed breakdownARWU
13 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | 6 | 181.0 | 2025 |
| Sociology | 51-75 | - | 2025 |
| Law | 76-100 | - | 2025 |
| Political Sciences | 76-100 | - | 2025 |
| Communication | 101-150 | - | 2025 |
| Economics | 151-200 | - | 2025 |
| Finance | 151-200 | - | 2022 |
| Geography | 201-300 | - | 2021 |
| Management | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Business Administration | 301-400 | - | 2024 |
| Human Biological Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Education | 401-500 | - | 2023 |
| Psychology | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
QS
12 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Policy & Administration | 33 | 80.2 | 2026 |
| Politics | 41 | 72.8 | 2026 |
| Development Studies | 48 | 68.5 | 2026 |
| Law & Legal Studies | =100 | 69.4 | 2026 |
| Communication & Media Studies | 251-275 | - | 2025 |
| English Language & Literature | 301-350 | - | 2025 |
| Accounting & Finance | 301-375 | - | 2026 |
| Social Sciences & Management | =350 | 62.9 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | =363 | 62.5 | 2026 |
| Economics & Econometrics | 401-450 | - | 2026 |
| Business & Management Studies | 451-500 | - | 2026 |
| Medicine | 701-850 | - | 2025 |
THE
7 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 101–125 | 47.3 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 251–300 | 42.1 | 2026 |
| Business & Economics | 401–500 | 36.4 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 501–600 | 37.4 | 2026 |
| Education | 501–600 | 29.0 | 2026 |
| Psychology | 501–600 | 28.2 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 601–800 | 16.8 | 2026 |
US News
1 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences and Public Health | =367 | 46.0 | 2026 |