AU vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 12,321 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Maryland College Park is in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of Maryland College Park 17:1.

AU vs. Maryland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Maryland? 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 Maryland College Park than AU ($16,581 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 11.3% lower than at American University ($15,958 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 397.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $46,962 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at AU than at University of Maryland College Park (about $17,585 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at University of Maryland College Park (67% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 182.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($36,349 vs. $12,867).

AU vs. Maryland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 100 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 1280/1460; University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: American University 29/32; University of Maryland College Park 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Maryland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Maryland students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Maryland (44.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 21.6% at Maryland.

AU vs. Maryland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Maryland? 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.

• University of Maryland College Park's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland 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.