AU vs. F&M

Should I go to American University or Franklin and Marshall College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or F&M is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

George Washington Dickinson College Gettysburg College Georgetown Fordham Syracuse Lafayette College Mason DU Drexel William & Mary Elon
American University vs. Franklin and Marshall College comparison
American University Franklin and Marshall College College 3 College 4
American University Franklin and Marshall College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

AU F&M
Location Washington, DC Lancaster, PA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,885 1,990
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #56
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu fandm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU F&M
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $65,652
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $65,652
Room & Board $15,706 $15,040
Avg Net Price $41,369 $31,135
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $49,177
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 63%

Admission

AU F&M
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 8,923
Admitted 7,926 3,233
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 36.2%
Enrolled % 22.2% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 29/32 30/33
SAT Range 1290/1430 1310/1440
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

AU F&M
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

AU F&M
Graduation Rate 77% 85%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $61,900
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 88%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $22,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $227

Diversity

AU F&M
% Men 37% 47%
% Women 63% 53%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 59%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 7% 14%
% Unknown Race 4% 6%

Students

AU F&M
% In-State 2% 25%
% Out-of-State 94% 53%

Campus

AU F&M
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than F&M based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 1,990 students)

AU vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or F&M?

  • Franklin and Marshall College is 23.7% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($65,652.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.7% higher at F&M than American University ($65,652.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Franklin and Marshall College than AU ($31,135 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 4.4% lower than costs at American University ($15,040 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than Franklin and Marshall College (66% vs. 63%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 81.2% larger than aid received American University ($49,177 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. F&M Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or F&M? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between F&M or AU .

  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (40.6%) than F&M (36.2%)

AU vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or F&M? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between F&M and AU.

  • The graduation rate at F&M is higher than American University (85% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $2,900 more per year than F&M graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $61,900)
  • Franklin and Marshall College students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($22,000 vs. $24,250)
  • F&M graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($227 vs. $250)
  • More F&M 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/