AU vs. Syracuse

Deciding between American University and Syracuse University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

American University
Syracuse University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Syracuse Syracuse, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Syracuse Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Syracuse 22,589
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Syracuse Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AU #94
  • Syracuse #158
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AU United Methodist
  • Syracuse -
  • Status
  • AU Non-profit
  • Syracuse Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AU
  • Syracuse

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Room & Board
  • AU $17,982
  • Syracuse $19,188
  • Average Net Price
  • AU $39,676
  • Syracuse $48,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Syracuse $36,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AU 67%
  • Syracuse 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Syracuse 44,480
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Syracuse 20,427
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AU 62%
  • Syracuse 45.9%
  • Enrolled
  • AU 15.6%
  • Syracuse 18.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Syracuse 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Syracuse 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Syracuse 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AU A-
  • Syracuse A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • AU Very High
  • Syracuse Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • AU Low
  • Syracuse Low
  • ACT Range
  • AU 29/32
  • Syracuse 29/32
  • SAT Range
  • AU 1280/1460
  • Syracuse 1270/1440
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Syracuse Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Syracuse Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Syracuse 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Syracuse
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AU 77%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Syracuse $65,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AU 80%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Syracuse $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AU $250
  • Syracuse $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AU 37%
  • Syracuse 44%
  • % Women
  • AU 63%
  • Syracuse 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AU High
  • Syracuse High
  • HBCU
  • AU No
  • Syracuse No
  • % White
  • AU 58%
  • Syracuse 55%
  • % Asian
  • AU 7%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Black
  • AU 7%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • AU 12%
  • Syracuse 11%
  • % Native American
  • AU 0%
  • Syracuse 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AU 0%
  • Syracuse 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AU 5%
  • Syracuse 3%
  • % International
  • AU 7%
  • Syracuse 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AU 4%
  • Syracuse 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AU 3%
  • Syracuse 31%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AU 94%
  • Syracuse 63%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AU Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AU No
  • Syracuse No
  • Meal Plan
  • AU Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AU Yes
  • Syracuse Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • AU Yes
  • Syracuse Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Syracuse University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

AU vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse ($39,676 vs. $48,215).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 6.3% lower than at Syracuse University ($17,982 vs. $19,188).
  • Syracuse University is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $6,757 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $58,771.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.5% higher at Syracuse than at American University (about $6,757 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $58,771.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Syracuse University than at American University (76% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by American University students ($36,417 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 10 points higher than at Syracuse (1360).
  • Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Syracuse (30).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Syracuse University 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Syracuse (45.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

AU vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Syracuse? 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).

  • Syracuse University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than American University's (77%).
  • Graduates from Syracuse University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,900 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.