The American University Housing Costs

$1,620 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

What is the Cost of Living at The American University?

Do you know how much it will cost to live on campus? Check out how much extra living expenses are at American University.

On this page you will find:

Living Expenses Outline
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Housing and Meal Plan Costs at The American University

This school offers students separate housing and dining options. The on-campus housing charge for an average student was $11,520 in 2026, and a standard meal plan cost $6,620. All in all, an on-campus student at American University faced a yearly bill of about $22,220 in 2026 in total yearly living costs beyond tuition.

The table below shows the expected costs of on-campus and off-campus housing and dining plans for American University.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$19,600	$22,602
— Housing	$11,520
— Meals	$6,620
Other Living Expenses	$1,620	$2,404
Books and Supplies	$1,000	$1,000
Total	$22,220	$26,006

The Projected Cost of Living On Campus? Four-Year Forecast: $102,170

Like tuition, room and board usually rises a little each year. Looking at the trend gives you a realistic picture of what you will actually spend by graduation.

At the projected rate, four years of on-campus living costs would total roughly $102,170 by the time you graduate.

See how housing and dining costs have changed over recent years and where they are trending at American University.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$16,458
Two Years Ago	$17,014
One Year Ago	$18,632
Most Recent Year (2026)	$19,600
One Year From Now *	$20,847
Two Years From Now *	$22,173
Three Years From Now *	$23,585
Four Years From Now *	$25,085

* estimated

On-campus room and board has trended up an average of 6.4% a year over the last three years. If current trends continue, incoming first-year students would pay about $23,467 for their first year on campus.

By their final year, a student might pay about $27,705 for a four-year (bachelor’s) degree, and about $24,793 by the end of a two-year program.

Over the entire degree (assuming you graduate on time), the total comes to about $102,170 for a bachelor’s, while two years would run about $48,260 over a two-year associate program.