AU vs. UB

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than UB based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,187 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Baltimore is in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Baltimore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of Baltimore 10:1.

AU vs. UB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UB? 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 University of Baltimore than AU ($14,545 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 7.1% lower than at University of Baltimore ($17,982 vs. $19,350).
• American University is 488.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UB (about $48,779 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $9,992.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145% higher at AU than at University of Baltimore (about $34,787 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $23,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Baltimore than at American University (84% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 227.1% larger than aid received by University of Baltimore students ($36,349 vs. $11,113).

AU vs. UB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 330 points higher than at UB (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; University of Baltimore 740/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; UB - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.81 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UB (2.89).
• UB has a higher acceptance rate (78.7%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 37% at UB.

AU vs. UB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UB? 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 American University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than UB graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $60,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Baltimore graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UB graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UB students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 45%)

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.