AU vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Vassar College 7:1.

AU vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than AU ($29,981 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 1.4% lower than at Vassar College ($17,982 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $12,259 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Vassar than at American University (about $12,259 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Vassar College (67% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 58% larger than aid received by American University students ($57,443 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 130 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

AU vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $8,470 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($15,780 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($163 vs. $250).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.