DU vs. AU

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

DU AU
Location Denver, CO Washington, DC
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 13,734 13,885
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #82 #93
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website du.edu american.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DU AU
Tuition (In State) $55,260 $53,070
Tuition (Out of State) $55,260 $53,070
Room & Board $15,470 $15,706
Avg Net Price $42,423 $41,369
Avg Grant Aid $30,954 $27,138
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 66%

Admission

DU AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,342 19,510
Admitted 15,024 7,926
Acceptance Rate 77.7% 40.6%
Enrolled % 10.9% 22.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 29/32
SAT Range 1220/1400 1290/1430
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

DU AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 8:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

DU AU
Graduation Rate 78% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $63,400 $64,800
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,699 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $245 $250

Diversity

DU AU
% Men 38% 37%
% Women 62% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 58%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 10% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 9% 7%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

DU AU
% In-State 25% 2%
% Out-of-State 71% 94%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than DU based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 13,734 students)

DU vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU or AU?

  • University of Denver is 4.1% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($55,260.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.1% higher at DU than American University ($55,260.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American University than DU ($41,369 vs. $42,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 1.5% lower than costs at American University ($15,470 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Denver than American University (99% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 14.1% larger than aid received American University ($30,954 vs. $27,138)

DU vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 3 points higher than at DU (1249)
  • Incoming DU students have at the same average ACT score (28) as students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at AU (3.7)
  • DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than AU (40.6%)

DU vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DU or AU? 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 AU and DU.

  • The graduation rate at DU is higher than American University (78% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $1,400 more per year than DU graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $63,400)
  • University of Denver students graduate with a $551 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($23,699 vs. $24,250)
  • DU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($245 vs. $250)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

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