AU vs. Babson

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Babson College in Wellesley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Babson College is in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Babson College 15:1.

AU vs. Babson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Babson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Babson College than AU ($32,019 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 16.6% lower than at Babson College ($17,982 vs. $21,550).
• American University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $1,619 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at AU than at Babson College (about $1,619 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Babson College (67% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 32.5% larger than aid received by American University students ($48,173 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Babson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Babson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Babson and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Babson College (1460) is 90 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Babson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Babson College 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Babson College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Babson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Babson Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Babson students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Babson (17.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 39% at Babson.

AU vs. Babson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Babson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Babson College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $43,700 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.