AU vs. Grove City College

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Grove City College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,383 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Grove City College is in Grove City, Pennsylvania (Distant Town setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grove City College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Grove City College 13:1.

AU vs. Grove City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Grove City College? 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 Grove City College than AU ($25,289 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grove City College are 32% lower than at American University ($12,230 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 170.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grove City College (about $37,071 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $21,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.8% higher at AU than at Grove City College (about $37,071 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $21,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Grove City College (67% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 313.3% larger than aid received by Grove City College students ($36,349 vs. $8,794).

AU vs. Grove City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Grove City College? 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 Grove City College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 110 points higher than at Grove City College (1260).
• Incoming AU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Grove City College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Grove City College 1141/1388.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Grove City College 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Grove City College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Grove City College Mar 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grove City College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at AU (3.7).
• Grove City College has a higher acceptance rate (72.3%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 37.3% at Grove City College.

AU vs. Grove City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Grove City College? 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).

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.