AU vs. St John's

Comparable Facts

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

St. John's University New York is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (19,389 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); St. John's University New York is in Queens, NY (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John's University New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; St. John's University New York 16:1.

AU vs. St John's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or St John's? 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 St. John's University New York than AU ($29,656 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 12.7% lower than at St. John's University New York ($17,982 vs. $20,600).
• American University is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than St John's (about $5,751 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $53,020.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at AU than at St. John's University New York (about $5,751 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $53,020.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John's University New York than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 1% larger than aid received by St. John's University New York students ($36,349 vs. $35,979).

AU vs. St John's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or St John's? 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 St John's and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 120 points higher than at St John's (1250).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at St John's).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; St. John's University New York 1150/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; St. John's University New York 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; St John's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at St John's (3.5).
• St John's has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 11.6% at St John's.

AU vs. St John's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and St John's? 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 St. John's University New York's (58%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than St John's graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $61,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than St John's graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St John's graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St John's 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.