American University is a private research university in north-west Washington, DC. It is best known for international relations, public affairs, law, communication and business, with a student body known for internships across government, embassies and NGOs. Choose it for a policy-focused degree in the US capital with generous merit aid.
Washington, DC, United States
Official website: american.edu
#711
Top 10 master's in international relations (Foreign Policy)
Top 20 in the US (U.S. News)
Most students complete at least one internship in Washington
$56,000 β $62,000
International students, undergraduate and most master's programmes
$22,000 β $28,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on american.edu before you apply.
MA International Relations (SIS)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Master of Public Administration
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MBA (Kogod School of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
21 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Analytics (Kogod)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BA International Studies
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
School of International Service β one of the largest international affairs schools in the US.
Washington internships β Congress, the State Department, embassies and NGOs within a Metro ride.
Kogod School of Business β AACSB-accredited, with a strong analytics programme.
Leafy 84-acre campus in Tenleytown, north-west DC, with its own arboretum.
Graduates join the State Department, USAID, World Bank, Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton and Capitol Hill offices.
International relations alumni work in foreign ministries, the UN and NGOs worldwide.
STEM-designated data science and analytics master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Kogod MBA graduates report median base salaries around USD 100,000.
Undergrad
15 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
1 Nov 2026
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus is a leafy site in the Tenleytown neighbourhood of north-west Washington, with residence halls, the library and the international service school around a central quad, and the Metro a shuttle ride away.
Washington is a walkable capital with free museums, embassies and the largest concentration of policy jobs in the US. Rent is among the highest in the country, though internships are plentiful.
Form I-20 issued by American University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, Early Decision I closes 1 November 2026, and Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close 15 January 2027; spring 2027 entry closes 1 November 2026. Graduate deadlines vary by school, with most master's programmes closing between January and March for fall.
Undergraduates can start in fall (late August) or spring (January). Most master's programmes, including international relations, public administration, data science and analytics, admit for both fall and spring, while the Kogod MBA is fall only. Check your programme's page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. International Student and Scholar Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
International relations, public administration, data science, the Kogod MBA and analytics attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a strong bachelor's degree, TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is selective, with an acceptance rate around 40%.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for merit scholarships worth up to around USD 25,000 a year when they apply, though need-based aid for them is limited. Graduate schools award partial merit scholarships; the School of International Service and Kogod both offer tuition awards.