AU vs. MMC

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Marymount Manhattan College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than MMC based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,601 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Marymount Manhattan College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marymount Manhattan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Marymount Manhattan College 7:1.

AU vs. MMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or MMC? 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 Marymount Manhattan College than AU ($38,376 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 14.6% lower than at Marymount Manhattan College ($17,982 vs. $21,054).
• American University is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MMC (about $16,901 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $41,870.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at AU than at Marymount Manhattan College (about $16,901 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $41,870.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marymount Manhattan College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Marymount Manhattan College students ($36,349 vs. $27,348).

AU vs. MMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or MMC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MMC and AU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at American University (1370) is 160 points higher than at MMC (1210).
• Incoming AU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 25 at MMC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 1280/1460; Marymount Manhattan College 1105/1323.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 29/32; Marymount Manhattan College 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; MMC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; MMC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman AU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at MMC (3.45).
• MMC has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 6.4% at MMC.

AU vs. MMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and MMC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Marymount Manhattan College's (40%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than MMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marymount Manhattan College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, MMC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($242 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MMC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 60%)

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.