UC vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 4,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Anderson University 13:1.

UC vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 UC ($24,434 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 6.2% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($12,720 vs. $13,564).
• Anderson University is 150.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $20,994 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at AU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $5,660 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (98% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 216.8% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($25,969 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 80 points higher than at AU (1190).
• Incoming UC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Anderson University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Anderson University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 32.5% at AU.

UC vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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).

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $3,862 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($237 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 57%)

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.