AU vs. Virginia Tech

Should I go to American University or Virginia Tech? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or Virginia Tech 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. Virginia Tech comparison
American University Virginia Tech College 3 College 4
American University Virginia Tech
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Overview

AU Virginia Tech
Location Washington, DC Blacksburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,885 38,170
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #142
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu vt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU Virginia Tech
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $12,104
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $31,754
Room & Board $15,706 $12,680
Avg Net Price $41,369 $19,301
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $7,649
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 57%

Admission

AU Virginia Tech
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 45,321
Admitted 7,926 25,825
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 57%
Enrolled % 22.2% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.97
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 27/32
SAT Range 1290/1430 1240/1430
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

AU Virginia Tech
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (19%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)

Outcomes

AU Virginia Tech
Graduation Rate 77% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $65,000
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $23,966
Median Loan Payment $250 $247

Diversity

AU Virginia Tech
% Men 37% 57%
% Women 63% 43%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 68%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 7% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

AU Virginia Tech
% In-State 2% 64%
% Out-of-State 94% 32%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Tech is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (38,170 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Virginia Tech?

  • American University is 338.5% more expensive to attend than Virginia Tech for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $12,104.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.1% higher at AU than Virginia Tech ($53,070.00 vs. $31,754.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Tech than AU ($19,301 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 23.9% lower than costs at American University ($12,680 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American University than Virginia Tech (66% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 254.8% larger than aid received Virginia Tech ($27,138 vs. $7,649)

AU vs. Virginia Tech Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 42 points higher than at Virginia Tech (1210)
  • Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at AU (3.7)
  • Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech and AU.

  • The graduation rate at Virginia Tech is higher than American University (82% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Tech earn on average $200 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($65,000 vs. $64,800)
  • Virginia Tech students graduate with a $284 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($23,966 vs. $24,250)
  • Virginia Tech graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($247 vs. $250)
  • More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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