AU vs. NC State

Should I go to American University or North Carolina State University at Raleigh? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or NC State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

George Washington Clemson UNC Chapel Hill Virginia Tech UNC Charlotte UofSC Penn State ASU ECU Ohio State Purdue Georgia
American University vs. North Carolina State University at Raleigh comparison
American University North Carolina State University at Raleigh College 3 College 4
American University North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 AU NC State
Location Washington, DC Raleigh, NC
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 13,885 36,700
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #123
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu ncsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU NC State
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $6,535
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $28,276
Room & Board $15,706 $12,748
Avg Net Price $41,369 $14,852
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $9,181
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 71%

Admission

 AU NC State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 35,568
Admitted 7,926 16,779
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 47.2%
Enrolled % 22.2% 33.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.83
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 28/33
SAT Range 1290/1430 1280/1460
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 AU NC State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Engineering (22%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

 AU NC State
Graduation Rate 77% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $57,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $20,782
Median Loan Payment $250 $214

Diversity

 AU NC State
% Men 37% 51%
% Women 63% 49%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 74%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

 AU NC State
% In-State 2% 83%
% Out-of-State 94% 14%

Campus

 AU NC State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (36,700 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or NC State?

  • American University is 712.1% more expensive to attend than NC State for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $6,535.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.7% higher at AU than North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($53,070.00 vs. $28,276.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than AU ($14,852 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 23.2% lower than costs at American University ($12,748 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than American University (71% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 195.6% larger than aid received North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($27,138 vs. $9,181)

AU vs. NC State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or NC State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NC State or AU .

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1264) is 12 points higher than at AU (1252)
  • Incoming NC State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at AU (3.7)
  • NC State has a higher acceptance rate (47.2%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or NC State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NC State and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh (77% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $7,600 more per year than NC State graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $57,200)
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh students graduate with a $3,468 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($20,782 vs. $24,250)
  • NC State graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($214 vs. $250)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/