AU vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

AU vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than AU ($14,782 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 7.8% lower than at American University ($16,584 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 581.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $50,146 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177% higher at AU than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $37,556 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 335% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($36,349 vs. $8,357).

AU vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or SUNY Poly? 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 SUNY Poly and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 170 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

AU vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $7,665 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($16,585 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($171 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 63%)

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.