AU vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bryn Mawr College is in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Bryn Mawr College 8:1.

AU vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College than AU ($33,221 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 7.3% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($17,982 vs. $19,400).
• Bryn Mawr College is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $7,149 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Bryn Mawr than at American University (about $7,149 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at American University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Mawr College students is 37.6% larger than aid received by American University students ($50,029 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bryn Mawr College (1400) is 30 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Bryn Mawr students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bryn Mawr students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Bryn Mawr (29.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

AU vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Bryn Mawr? 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).

• Bryn Mawr College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

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.