AU vs. Tulane

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Tulane University of Louisiana is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1.

AU vs. Tulane Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Tulane? 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 Tulane ($39,676 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 4.7% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($17,982 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $9,907 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Tulane than at American University (about $9,907 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Tulane University of Louisiana (67% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students is 9.1% larger than aid received by American University students ($39,654 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Tulane Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tulane University of Louisiana (1460) is 90 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Tulane students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Tulane - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Tulane Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 40.3% at Tulane.

AU vs. Tulane Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Tulane? 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).

• Graduates from Tulane University of Louisiana earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $3,279 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($250 vs. $284).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 62%)

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.