American University (AU): Courses, Cost and Cost of Living 2026-27

American University fees for Indian students vary by credit load, programme, and degree level. Postgraduate (PG) tuition starts at USD 61,920 (INR 59.08 Lakhs) for the Master of Laws (LL.M.). The full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) costs USD 97,335 (INR 92.87 Lakhs). Undergraduate (UG) tuition is USD 62,680 (INR 59.80 Lakhs) per academic year. The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science costs USD 64,890 (INR 61.91 Lakhs) for 30 credits.

The university lists USD 22,994 (INR 21.94 Lakhs) for nine months in Washington, District of Columbia (DC). Mandatory fees are separate. On-campus housing comes first. Published rates begin at USD 4,605 (INR 4.39 Lakhs) for a Hughes triple. Frequency units reach USD 9,980 (INR 9.52 Lakhs). Off-campus housing uses a higher official allowance. Private rent, deposits, leases, and availability require separate confirmation.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science on-campus first-year budget is USD 90,668 (INR 86.51 Lakhs). It includes nine months of living costs and mandatory charges. Fall 2027 rates remain unpublished, so totals use the 2026/27 fee year.

• International merit awards offer USD 8,000 to USD 25,000 yearly (INR 7.63 to INR 23.85 Lakhs). They target eligible fall entrants.
• The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) admission deposit is USD 250 (INR 23,853) and reduces tuition.
• The 2026/27 health insurance charge is USD 2,759 (INR 2.63 Lakhs) for students without an approved waiver.

Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 95.41 on 14 August 2026.

Also check, 

• American University (AU): Fees 2026 and Scholarships 
• Top Universities in USA for 2026: Rankings, Courses & Fees
• Undergraduate Courses in USA for Indian Students 2026
• How to Apply to US Universities as an Indian Student 2027

American University Tuition Fees by Programme

Fifteen programme rows show the main American University fee structure, with PG options before UG options. Credit-based pricing matters because graduate totals change with the required credit count. Master of Arts (MA) courses use the standard graduate credit rate.

American University Postgraduate Fees: 2026/27

Ten PG programmes range from USD 61,920 (INR 59.08 Lakhs) to USD 97,335 (INR 92.87 Lakhs). Shortlist by total credits first, then test scholarships and the first-year budget.

• Graduate tuition uses the published per-credit rate, so extra credits increase the final bill.
• The full-time MBA also carries a Global Experience Project fee of USD 2,950 (INR 2.81 Lakhs).
• The LL.M. uses the Washington College of Law rate, not the standard graduate rate.
• MS in Accounting requires 30-37.5 credits. Its tuition ranges from USD 64,890 to USD 81,112.50 (INR 61.91 to INR 77.39 Lakhs).

American University Undergraduate Fees: 2026/27

Five mainstream UG programmes use the full-time rate of USD 62,680 (INR 59.80 Lakhs) yearly. Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) programmes require 120 credits. The four-year tuition comparison is USD 250,720 (INR 2.39 Crore).

• The UG full-time band covers 12 to 17.99 credits each semester.
• Students below 12 credits pay USD 2,087 (INR 1.99 Lakhs) per credit.
• The annual rate excludes health insurance, housing, food, books, and personal costs.
• American University does not publish Medicine or Dentistry degrees in this fee set.

American University Fee Trend by Year

The 2025/26 UG rate was USD 60,270 (INR 57.50 Lakhs). The 2026/27 rate is USD 62,680 (INR 59.80 Lakhs). This 4.0% year-over-year (YoY) increase adds USD 2,410 (INR 2.30 Lakhs). Use the 2026/27 rate for Spring 2027. Recalculate Fall 2027 after the next schedule appears.

Cost of Living in Washington DC for Indian Students

USD 22,994 (INR 21.94 Lakhs) is the published nine-month undergraduate on-campus living allowance before mandatory fees. Housing is the largest component, so the residence choice changes the first-year budget most.

• Hughes costs USD 4,605 to USD 7,880 per semester (INR 4.39 to INR 7.53 Lakhs). Room type determines the rate.
• Frequency costs USD 7,815 to USD 9,980 per semester (INR 7.46 to INR 9.52 Lakhs).
• The official off-campus nine-month allowance is USD 27,870 (INR 26.59 Lakhs) before mandatory fees.
• American University does not publish a comparable private-neighbourhood rent range in its published cost pages.
• Confirm the residence contract, deposit, meal arrangement, commute, and room availability before choosing private housing.

Total Cost of Studying at American University

USD 82,488 (INR 78.70 Lakhs) is the low first-year BS Computer Science budget. It includes nine months of living. The average on-campus budget is USD 90,668 (INR 86.51 Lakhs). The official off-campus scenario reaches USD 95,544 (INR 91.16 Lakhs).

• The BS Computer Science tuition is annual, while each living scenario uses nine academic months.
• Mandatory fees include USD 1,700 (INR 1.62 Lakhs) in university fees. Health insurance adds USD 2,759 (INR 2.63 Lakhs).
• They also include USD 185 (INR 17,651) for the F-1 academic student visa. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is USD 350 (INR 33,394).
• The F-1 student visa is the United States study route, and SEVIS records student immigration status.
• The CAS deposit reduces tuition, so it is not added again to the total.
• Airfare, visa appointment travel, exchange losses, and optional purchases remain outside these totals.

The worked example is a BS Computer Science applicant using the average on-campus scenario. Full four-year tuition is USD 250,720 (INR 2.39 Crore) at unchanged current rates. Living costs and future fee changes are additional. A loan covering INR 2.39 Crore implies an equated monthly instalment (EMI) of about INR 3.22 Lakhs monthly. That estimate assumes 10 years at 10.5%. Salary offset depends on the role and employer after graduation.

American University Scholarships for Indian Students

The merit range is USD 8,000 to USD 25,000 yearly (INR 7.63 to INR 23.85 Lakhs). It applies to eligible fall first-year applicants. Spring 2027 applicants should not assume eligibility.

American University Scholarships

Two university awards provide the clearest published funding routes for Fall 2027 applicants.

Zero external Indian scholarships are currently open and fully confirmed for Spring 2027. Inlaks, JN Tata, K C Mahindra, Aga Khan, and Narotam Sekhsaria cycles have closed or have pending next deadlines.

American University Tuition Deposit and Payment Options

USD 250 (INR 23,853) is the standard CAS deposit, while Kogod uses course-specific deposits. Each deposit is nonrefundable and credited toward tuition when the relevant page states that treatment.

Course-Specific Deposits

Three deposit examples show how American University varies payment requirements by course group.

Methods of Payment

Four payment routes cover deposits, tuition, and education-loan disbursements.

• Bank or telegraphic transfer through Convera, American University’s named international payment provider.
• Forex card payment where accepted, which can reduce conversion costs by 2-3%.
• Education-loan disbursement coordinated with the student accounts office and the lender.
• Credit or debit card payment, subject to the published 2.80% service fee outside deposit payments.

Steps to Pay the Tuition Fee for International Students

Five steps connect offer acceptance, payment, immigration documents, and semester billing.

1. Accept the offer and review the response date.
2. Pay the course-specific deposit through the approved payment route.
3. Submit financial documents and receive the Form I-20 for the F-1 student visa when eligible.
4. Pay the remaining tuition by semester under the student account schedule.
5. Keep every payment receipt for the visa and education-loan file.

UG tuition is billed at USD 31,340 (INR 29.90 Lakhs) per semester. A standard nine-credit graduate term is USD 19,467 (INR 18.57 Lakhs). A 12-credit MBA term is USD 25,956 (INR 24.76 Lakhs). No university-wide full-payment discount is published.

Fee Saving Strategies for Indian Students

September 1, 2026 is the most urgent Spring 2027 action. The largest published saving remains the Fall 2027 merit award. Prioritise the deadline before comparing optional spending.

• Choose published on-campus room types carefully. A Hughes triple costs USD 4,605 (INR 4.39 Lakhs) per semester. A Frequency unit costs USD 9,980 (INR 9.52 Lakhs).
• F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours weekly during term. Immigration and university rules apply.
• Section 80E of India’s Income Tax Act may allow education-loan interest relief. Confirm the current Income Tax Department conditions before relying on it.
• Check the fee band before reducing credits. Below 12 UG credits cost USD 2,087 (INR 1.99 Lakhs) per credit. Full-time tuition is USD 31,340 (INR 29.90 Lakhs) per semester.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) can last up to 12 months after eligible F-1 study. A qualifying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree may add a 24-month extension.

Part-time work can support daily costs, but it should not replace proof of funds or planned tuition payments.