AU vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); The College of Wooster is in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; The College of Wooster 10:1.

AU vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster than AU ($28,004 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 19.4% lower than at American University ($14,490 vs. $17,982).
• The College of Wooster is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $2,869 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Wooster than at American University (about $2,869 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 31.2% larger than aid received by American University students ($47,672 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 30 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Wooster (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wooster students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Wooster (59.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

AU vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.