AU vs. UVA

Should I go to American University or University of Virginia Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or UVA is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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American University vs. University of Virginia Main Campus comparison
American University University of Virginia Main Campus College 3 College 4
American University University of Virginia Main Campus
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Overview

 AU UVA
Location Washington, DC Charlottesville, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,885 26,082
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #59
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu virginia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU UVA
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $16,980
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $51,870
Room & Board $15,706 $12,890
Avg Net Price $41,369 $19,469
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $26,818
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 34%

Admission

 AU UVA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 50,926
Admitted 7,926 9,503
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 18.7%
Enrolled % 22.2% 42.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.85
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Elite
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 29/32 32/34
SAT Range 1290/1430 1400/1540
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 AU UVA
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

 AU UVA
Graduation Rate 77% 94%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $77,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $19,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $201

Diversity

 AU UVA
% Men 37% 45%
% Women 63% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 60%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 7% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 6%

Students

 AU UVA
% In-State 2% 62%
% Out-of-State 94% 33%

Campus

 AU UVA
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (26,082 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UVA?

  • American University is 212.5% more expensive to attend than UVA for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.3% higher at AU than University of Virginia Main Campus ($53,070.00 vs. $51,870.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Virginia Main Campus than AU ($19,469 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 21.8% lower than costs at American University ($12,890 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than University of Virginia Main Campus (66% vs. 34%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 1.2% larger than aid received University of Virginia Main Campus ($27,138 vs. $26,818)

AU vs. UVA Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UVA? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UVA or AU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Virginia Main Campus (1364) is 112 points higher than at AU (1252)
  • Incoming UVA students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at AU (3.7)
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (40.6%) than UVA (18.7%)

AU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or UVA? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UVA and AU.

  • The graduation rate at UVA is higher than American University (94% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn on average $12,400 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($77,200 vs. $64,800)
  • University of Virginia Main Campus students graduate with a $4,750 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,250)
  • UVA graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($201 vs. $250)
  • More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/