AU vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AU vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than AU ($18,211 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 8.6% lower than at American University ($16,436 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 556.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $49,818 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 206.1% higher at AU than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $39,568 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at American University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 248.4% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($36,349 vs. $10,432).

AU vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 90 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming AU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

AU vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $24,600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($232 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College 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.