AU vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AU vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Meredith? 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 Meredith College than AU ($24,323 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 26.1% lower than at American University ($13,280 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 28.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Meredith (about $13,141 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.8% higher at AU than at Meredith College (about $13,141 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 9.8% larger than aid received by Meredith College students ($36,349 vs. $33,116).

AU vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 150 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

AU vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Meredith? 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 Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $24,800 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 65%)

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.