AU vs. Annapolis

Deciding between American University and United States Naval Academy? 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
United States Naval Academy

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Annapolis Annapolis, Maryland
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Annapolis Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Annapolis 4,474
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Annapolis Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AU #94
  • Annapolis
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AU United Methodist
  • Annapolis -
  • Status
  • AU Non-profit
  • Annapolis Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AU
  • Annapolis

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Annapolis $0
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Annapolis $0
  • Room & Board
  • AU $17,982
  • Annapolis $0
  • Average Net Price
  • AU $39,676
  • Annapolis -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Annapolis $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AU 67%
  • Annapolis 0%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Annapolis 15,149
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Annapolis 1,405
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AU 62%
  • Annapolis 9.3%
  • Enrolled
  • AU 15.6%
  • Annapolis 84.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Annapolis 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Annapolis 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Annapolis 3.8
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AU A-
  • Annapolis A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • AU Very High
  • Annapolis Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • AU Low
  • Annapolis Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • AU 29/32
  • Annapolis 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • AU 1280/1460
  • Annapolis 1210/1410
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Annapolis Required
  • Application Deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Annapolis Jan 31, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Annapolis 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Annapolis
    • Engineering (30%)
    • Social Sciences (30%)
    • Physical Sciences (17%)
    • History (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AU 77%
  • Annapolis -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Annapolis N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AU 80%
  • Annapolis -
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Annapolis N/A
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AU $250
  • Annapolis N/A

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AU 37%
  • Annapolis 70%
  • % Women
  • AU 63%
  • Annapolis 30%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AU High
  • Annapolis -
  • HBCU
  • AU No
  • Annapolis No
  • % White
  • AU 58%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Asian
  • AU 7%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Black
  • AU 7%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Hispanic
  • AU 12%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Native American
  • AU 0%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AU 0%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AU 5%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % International
  • AU 7%
  • Annapolis 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AU 4%
  • Annapolis 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AU 3%
  • Annapolis 7%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AU 94%
  • Annapolis 91%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Annapolis based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 4,474 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); United States Naval Academy is in Annapolis, Maryland (Large Suburban setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Naval Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; United States Naval Academy 8:1.

AU vs. Annapolis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Annapolis? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • In-state tuition differs between American University and Annapolis ($58,771.00 vs. $0.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition differs between AU and United States Naval Academy ($58,771.00 vs. $0.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at United States Naval Academy (67% vs. 0%).

AU vs. Annapolis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Annapolis? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Annapolis and AU.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at American University (1370) is 60 points higher than at Annapolis (1310).
  • Incoming AU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Annapolis).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 1280/1460; United States Naval Academy 1210/1410.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 29/32; United States Naval Academy 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Annapolis - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Annapolis Jan 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Annapolis students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at AU (3.7).
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Annapolis (9.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 84.2% at Annapolis.

AU vs. Annapolis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Annapolis? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • American University's six-year graduation rate is 77%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Annapolis.
  • Graduates from American University have median earnings of about $64,800 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Annapolis.

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.