AU vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

AU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than AU ($18,427 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 17.7% lower than at American University ($14,800 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 169.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $36,968 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at UVA than at American University (about $741 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (67% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 26.6% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($36,349 vs. $28,715).

AU vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 110 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming UVA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• 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 (62%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 40% at UVA.

AU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.