AU vs. Kenyon

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than Kenyon based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,249 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Kenyon College is in Gambier, OH (Distant Rural setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kenyon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Kenyon College 9:1.

AU vs. Kenyon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Kenyon? 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 American University than Kenyon ($39,676 vs. $46,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kenyon College are 13% lower than at American University ($15,640 vs. $17,982).
• Kenyon College is 21.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $12,749 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Kenyon than at American University (about $12,749 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kenyon College than at American University (82% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kenyon College students is 12.1% larger than aid received by American University students ($40,731 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Kenyon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kenyon College (1430) is 60 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Kenyon 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; Kenyon College 1358/1503.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Kenyon College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Kenyon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kenyon students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Kenyon (31%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 18.3% at Kenyon.

AU vs. Kenyon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Kenyon? 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).

• Kenyon College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Kenyon graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kenyon College graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Kenyon graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($196 vs. $250).
• More Kenyon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.