AU vs. Siena College

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Siena College in Loudonville, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Siena College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,720 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Siena College is in Loudonville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Siena College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Siena College 12:1.

AU vs. Siena College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Siena College? 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 Siena College than AU ($32,955 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Siena College are 5% lower than at American University ($17,085 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 26.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Siena College (about $12,191 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $46,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at AU than at Siena College (about $12,191 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $46,580.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Siena College than at American University (97% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 13.9% larger than aid received by Siena College students ($36,349 vs. $31,915).

AU vs. Siena College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 130 points higher than at Siena College (1240).
• Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Siena College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Siena College 1110/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Siena College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Siena College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Siena College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Siena College (3.53).
• Siena College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 11.9% at Siena College.

AU vs. Siena College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Siena College? 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 Siena College's (74%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Siena College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Siena College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Siena College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Siena College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.