AU vs. George Washington

American University and George Washington University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
George Washington University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: George Washington (47.1% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: AU. Average net price is $39,676 vs $46,485 at George Washington.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs George Washington 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs George Washington $80,500 (median).
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Key differences

American University George Washington University
Acceptance rate
George Washington more selective
AU62%
George Washington47.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
George Washington higher
AU1280-1460
George Washington1350-1500
Average net price
AU $6,809 less
AU$39,676
George Washington$46,485
In-state tuition
AU $8,939 less
AU$58,771
George Washington$67,710
Out-of-state tuition
AU $8,939 less
AU$58,771
George Washington$67,710
Graduation rate
George Washington +4 pts
AU77%
George Washington81%
Median earnings (10 years)
George Washington +$15,700
AU$64,800
George Washington$80,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • George Washington 27,016
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • George Washington 12,723
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • George Washington 47.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • George Washington 19.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • George Washington 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • George Washington 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • George Washington 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • George Washington A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • George Washington Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • George Washington Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • George Washington 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • George Washington 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • George Washington Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • George Washington Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • George Washington $67,710
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • George Washington $67,710
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • George Washington $16,920
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • George Washington $46,485
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • George Washington $37,500
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • George Washington 78%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • George Washington 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • George Washington $80,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • George Washington 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • George Washington $24,962
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • George Washington $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • George Washington 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • George Washington
    • Social Sciences (34%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (4%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • George Washington Washington, DC
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • George Washington Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • George Washington 25,374
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • George Washington Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • George Washington #82

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with George Washington University in Washington, DC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

George Washington University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 12,321 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); George Washington University is in Washington, DC (Large City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; George Washington University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 5.9% lower than at American University ($16,920 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at George Washington than at American University (about $8,939 more per year; $67,710 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at American University (78% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 3.2% larger than aid received by American University students ($37,500 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at George Washington than at AU (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and George Washington.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; George Washington Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at George Washington average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 19.3% at George Washington.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $712 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,962).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($250 vs. $258).
  • More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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