Arcadia vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anderson University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Anderson University 13:1.

Arcadia vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or AU? 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 Anderson University than Arcadia ($24,434 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 26% lower than at Arcadia University ($12,720 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $14,640 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $34,970.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at Arcadia than at Anderson University (about $14,640 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $34,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Anderson University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 33.6% larger than aid received by Anderson University students ($34,705 vs. $25,969).

Arcadia vs. AU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 20 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Anderson University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAnderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 32.5% at AU.

Arcadia vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and AU? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.