AU vs. Haverford College

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than Haverford College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AU vs. Haverford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Haverford 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 Haverford College than AU ($26,535 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 8% lower than at Haverford College ($17,982 vs. $19,548).
• Haverford College is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $11,917 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Haverford College than at American University (about $11,917 more per year; $70,688.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Haverford College (67% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Haverford College students is 75.4% larger than aid received by American University students ($63,742 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Haverford College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Haverford 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 Haverford College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Haverford College (1510) is 140 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Haverford College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Haverford College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Haverford College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Haverford College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Haverford College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Haverford College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Haverford College (12.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 42.6% at Haverford College.

AU vs. Haverford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Haverford 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).

• Haverford College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Haverford College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,800 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Haverford College graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($13,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Haverford College graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($134 vs. $250).
• More Haverford College 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.