AU vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

AU vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Ursinus 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 Ursinus College than AU ($32,158 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 5.3% lower than at American University ($17,028 vs. $17,982).
• Ursinus College is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $2,439 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Ursinus College than at American University (about $2,439 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ursinus College students is 23.1% larger than aid received by American University students ($44,754 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Ursinus 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 Ursinus College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 80 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Ursinus College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

AU vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Ursinus 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).

• Ursinus College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.