AU vs. Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Washington College is in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Washington College 8:1.

AU vs. Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Washington 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 Washington College than AU ($29,830 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 1.5% lower than at Washington College ($17,982 vs. $18,250).
• American University is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $3,445 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at AU than at Washington College (about $3,445 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington College students is 19.6% larger than aid received by American University students ($43,485 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Washington College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 100 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming AU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Washington College 1140/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Washington College 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Washington College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Washington College (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 11.5% at Washington College.

AU vs. Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Washington 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).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington College and AU graduates have the same median loan debt ($24,250 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington College and AU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($250 vs. $250).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.