American University in Cairo
A respected university offering high-quality education and research opportunities. Features modern facilities, diverse programs, and strong connections with industry and community partners.
- Acceptance Rate
- 46.8%
- SAT Range
- 1180–1380
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.65
- Size
- Large (17,127 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:18
- Setting
- urban
- Graduation Rate
- 81.0%
- Retention Rate
- 89.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $1,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $5,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
The New Cairo campus spreads across 260 acres in the city's eastern expansion, providing space for athletic facilities, green areas, and architectural buildings that blend modern design with Islamic artistic traditions. Students spend time between classes in the campus center, which houses cafes, student organization offices, and gathering spaces where conversations flow in Arabic, English, and dozens of other languages. The athletic facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and fitness centers that stay busy from early morning until late evening. Student organizations number in the hundreds, covering everything from Model United Nations to Egyptian folk dancing to entrepreneurship clubs that have launched successful startups. Students at AUC describe a transformative experience that combines academic growth with deep cultural immersion in Egypt and the broader Arab world. Many international students arrive with limited Arabic and leave with conversational fluency, having practiced daily with Egyptian classmates and in the markets and cafes of Cairo. The diversity of perspectives in classroom discussions often surprises students, who find themselves debating with peers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the US, and China about issues that textbooks treat abstractly. Cultural events on campus celebrate Egyptian traditions alongside international holidays, creating an atmosphere where different backgrounds are genuinely valued rather than just tolerated.
Location & Surroundings
Living in Cairo means having access to one of the world's great cities, with the Pyramids of Giza, Islamic Cairo's medieval architecture, and the Egyptian Museum all within easy reach. Many students live in nearby neighborhoods like Rehab City or New Cairo, where modern apartments and shopping centers have sprung up around the campus. The urban setting of 17,000+ students creates a busy social scene, with students gathering at campus events, exploring Cairo's neighborhoods, and taking advantage of Egypt's affordable travel to historical sites along the Nile. Campus shuttles connect the New Cairo campus to downtown, making the city's restaurants, cultural venues, and nightlife accessible despite the distance. The challenges of living in Cairo become part of the educational experience, as students navigate a city that operates differently from anything they've known before. Traffic, bureaucracy, and the sheer intensity of a metropolis with over 20 million people require adaptation and resilience. Most students develop deep affection for Cairo's chaos, finding that the city's warmth, humor, and history create an unforgettable backdrop for their university years. Weekend trips to Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, and the Sinai Peninsula allow students to experience Egypt beyond the capital. The friendships formed at AUC cross borders and last for decades, with alumni networks active throughout the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Costs & Career Outcomes
AUC graduates enter career markets throughout the Middle East and globally with a credential that opens significant doors. The university's alumni network includes heads of state, CEOs of major corporations, and leaders across media, diplomacy, and the arts. Career services provides strong support for job placement, with multinational corporations, NGOs, and regional businesses actively recruiting on campus each year. Many graduates launch careers in Cairo or Dubai before eventually moving to London, New York, or other global centers, bringing their regional expertise to international roles. The business school has produced generations of leaders in banking, consulting, and entrepreneurship, with alumni heading major institutions across the Arab world. Engineering and computer science graduates are sought by tech companies building regional presences, and the growing startup ecosystem in Cairo has been significantly shaped by AUC entrepreneurs. Students interested in development, human rights, and humanitarian work find that an AUC degree combined with Arabic language skills opens opportunities with the UN, World Bank, and major international NGOs. Graduate school placement is strong, with AUC alumni continuing to doctoral programs at top universities worldwide. The return on investment calculation depends heavily on where graduates choose to build their careers, but those who stay in the region typically find that AUC credentials command premium opportunities.
Campus Location
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