AU vs. Pace University

Deciding between American University and Pace University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

American University
Pace University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Pace University New York, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Pace University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Pace University 13,634
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Pace University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AU #94
  • Pace University #357
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AU United Methodist
  • Pace University -
  • Status
  • AU Non-profit
  • Pace University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AU
  • Pace University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Pace University $53,290
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Pace University $53,290
  • Room & Board
  • AU $17,982
  • Pace University $22,553
  • Average Net Price
  • AU $39,676
  • Pace University $34,791
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Pace University $35,136
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AU 67%
  • Pace University 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Pace University 30,030
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Pace University 22,798
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AU 62%
  • Pace University 75.9%
  • Enrolled
  • AU 15.6%
  • Pace University 8.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Pace University 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Pace University 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Pace University 3.4
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AU A-
  • Pace University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • AU Very High
  • Pace University Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • AU Low
  • Pace University
  • ACT Range
  • AU 29/32
  • Pace University 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • AU 1280/1460
  • Pace University 1180/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Pace University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Pace University Feb 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Pace University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Pace University
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AU 77%
  • Pace University 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Pace University $63,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AU 80%
  • Pace University 65%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Pace University $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AU $250
  • Pace University $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AU 37%
  • Pace University 37%
  • % Women
  • AU 63%
  • Pace University 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AU High
  • Pace University High
  • HBCU
  • AU No
  • Pace University No
  • % White
  • AU 58%
  • Pace University 50%
  • % Asian
  • AU 7%
  • Pace University 8%
  • % Black
  • AU 7%
  • Pace University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • AU 12%
  • Pace University 14%
  • % Native American
  • AU 0%
  • Pace University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AU 0%
  • Pace University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AU 5%
  • Pace University 4%
  • % International
  • AU 7%
  • Pace University 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AU 4%
  • Pace University 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AU 3%
  • Pace University 46%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AU 94%
  • Pace University 48%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AU Yes
  • Pace University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AU No
  • Pace University No
  • Meal Plan
  • AU Yes
  • Pace University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AU Yes
  • Pace University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • AU Yes
  • Pace University No

Comparable Facts

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

Pace University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (13,634 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Pace University is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pace University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Pace University 14:1.

AU vs. Pace University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Pace University? 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 Pace University than AU ($34,791 vs. $39,676).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 20.3% lower than at Pace University ($17,982 vs. $22,553).
  • American University is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pace University (about $5,481 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $53,290.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at AU than at Pace University (about $5,481 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $53,290.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pace University than at American University (99% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Pace University students ($36,349 vs. $35,136).

AU vs. Pace University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 110 points higher than at Pace University (1260).
  • Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Pace University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Pace University 1180/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Pace University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Pace University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Pace University Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Pace University (3.4).
  • Pace University has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than AU (62%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 8.1% at Pace University.

AU vs. Pace University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Pace University? 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 Pace University's (53%).
  • Graduates from American University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Pace University graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $63,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Pace University graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pace University graduates ($250 vs. $258).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pace University 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.