AU vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

AU vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University than AU ($25,941 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 18.8% lower than at American University ($14,604 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 47.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $18,971 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.7% higher at AU than at Ohio Northern University (about $18,971 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at American University (97% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 31.2% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($36,349 vs. $27,696).

AU vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 80 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at AU (3.7).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 19.9% at ONU.

AU vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More ONU 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.