AU vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

AU vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington than AU ($21,800 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 20.8% lower than at American University ($14,250 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 301.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $44,131 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.2% higher at AU than at University of Mary Washington (about $31,211 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at American University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 246.5% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($36,349 vs. $10,491).

AU vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 100 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming AU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at AU (3.7).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

AU vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College 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.