AU vs. Lewis and Clark

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Lewis and Clark based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,504 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Lewis & Clark College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lewis & Clark College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Lewis & Clark College 12:1.

AU vs. Lewis and Clark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Lewis and Clark? 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 Lewis & Clark College than AU ($37,999 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lewis & Clark College are 13% lower than at American University ($15,648 vs. $17,982).
• Lewis & Clark College is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $6,057 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at Lewis and Clark than at American University (about $6,057 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 15.6% larger than aid received by American University students ($42,021 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Lewis and Clark Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 70 points higher than at Lewis and Clark (1300).
• Incoming AU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Lewis and Clark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Lewis & Clark College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Lewis and Clark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at AU (3.7).
• Lewis and Clark has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 9.7% at Lewis and Clark.

AU vs. Lewis and Clark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Lewis and Clark? 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).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Lewis & Clark College's (73%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Lewis and Clark graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $50,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Lewis and Clark graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lewis and Clark graduates ($250 vs. $253).
• More Lewis and Clark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.