AU vs. RIT

Should I go to American University or Rochester Institute of Technology? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or RIT 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 RPI Clarkson Georgetown UB Binghamton University Stevens Fordham Syracuse Drexel IIT U of R
American University vs. Rochester Institute of Technology comparison
American University Rochester Institute of Technology College 3 College 4
American University Rochester Institute of Technology
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

AU RIT
Location Washington, DC Rochester, NY
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,885 16,615
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #172
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu rit.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU RIT
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $53,720
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $53,720
Room & Board $15,706 $14,978
Avg Net Price $41,369 $39,600
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $29,122
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 97%

Admission

AU RIT
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 23,976
Admitted 7,926 16,105
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 67.2%
Enrolled % 22.2% 19.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 29/33
SAT Range 1290/1430 1270/1450
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 RIT
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Engineering Technology (11%)

Outcomes

AU RIT
Graduation Rate 77% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $64,900
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $289

Diversity

AU RIT
% Men 37% 65%
% Women 63% 35%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 66%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 7% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

AU RIT
% In-State 2% 47%
% Out-of-State 94% 49%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (16,615 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or RIT ?

  • Rochester Institute of Technology is 1.2% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($53,720.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.2% higher at RIT than American University ($53,720.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rochester Institute of Technology than AU ($39,600 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 4.9% lower than costs at American University ($14,978 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than American University (97% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 7.3% larger than aid received American University ($29,122 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. RIT Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 1 points higher than at RIT (1251)
  • Incoming RIT students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at RIT (3.7)
  • RIT has a higher acceptance rate (67.2%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or RIT ? 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 RIT and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology (77% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn on average $100 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($64,900 vs. $64,800)
  • American University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than RIT graduates. ($24,250 vs. $28,000)
  • AU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than RIT graduates. ($250 vs. $289)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 75%)

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