AU vs. Simmons University

Should I go to American University or Simmons University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or Simmons University 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.

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American University vs. Simmons University comparison
American University Simmons University College 3 College 4
American University Simmons University
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Overview

AU Simmons University
Location Washington, DC Boston, MA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 13,019 5,053
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #84 #122
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu simmons.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU Simmons University
Tuition (In State) $55,724 $44,208
Tuition (Out of State) $55,724 $44,208
Room & Board $17,012 $17,104
Avg Net Price $40,189 $29,575
Avg Grant Aid $31,402 $33,874
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 99%

Admission

AU Simmons University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,786 4,871
Admitted 8,427 3,215
Acceptance Rate 47.4% 66%
Enrolled % 22% 11.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.87
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/33 26/31
SAT Range 1300/1450 1230/1390
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, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

AU Simmons University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)

Outcomes

AU Simmons University
Graduation Rate 77% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $52,800
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $250 $268

Diversity

AU Simmons University
% Men 15% 8%
% Women 25% 57%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 67%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

AU Simmons University
% In-State 2% 57%
% Out-of-State 94% 37%

Campus

AU Simmons University
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

  • American University is larger than than Simmons University based on total student enrollment (13,019 students vs. 5,053 students)

AU vs. Simmons University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Simmons University?

  • American University is 26% more expensive to attend than Simmons University for in-state tuition ($55,724.00 vs. $44,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26% higher at AU than Simmons University ($55,724.00 vs. $44,208.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simmons University than AU ($29,575 vs. $40,189)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 0.5% lower than costs at Simmons University ($17,012 vs. $17,104)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than American University (99% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simmons University students is 7.9% larger than aid received American University ($33,874 vs. $31,402)

AU vs. Simmons University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 89 points higher than at Simmons University (1163)
  • Incoming AU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Simmons University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Simmons University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at AU (3.7)
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (66%) than AU (47.4%)

AU vs. Simmons University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or Simmons University? 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 Simmons University and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than Simmons University (77% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $12,000 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $52,800)
  • American University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Simmons University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $26,000)
  • AU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Simmons University graduates. ($250 vs. $268)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 80%)

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