AU vs. Stevens

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Stevens based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 8,469 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Stevens Institute of Technology is in Hoboken, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stevens Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Stevens Institute of Technology 11:1.

AU vs. Stevens Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Stevens? 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 American University than Stevens ($39,676 vs. $46,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 6% lower than at Stevens Institute of Technology ($17,982 vs. $19,124).
• Stevens Institute of Technology is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $4,691 more per year; $63,462.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Stevens than at American University (about $4,691 more per year; $63,462.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stevens Institute of Technology than at American University (98% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Stevens Institute of Technology students ($36,349 vs. $33,897).

AU vs. Stevens Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Stevens? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Stevens and AU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Stevens Institute of Technology (1440) is 70 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Stevens students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 1280/1460; Stevens Institute of Technology 1380/1505.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 29/32; Stevens Institute of Technology 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Stevens - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Stevens students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Stevens (47.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 20.8% at Stevens.

AU vs. Stevens Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Stevens? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Stevens Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Stevens Institute of Technology earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,100 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Stevens graduates ($24,250 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stevens graduates ($250 vs. $292).
• More Stevens graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.