AU vs. EMU

Should I go to American University or Eastern Mennonite University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or EMU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

George Washington Georgetown Fordham Syracuse Mason Lafayette College DU Drexel William & Mary Elon University of Richmond Bucknell
American University vs. Eastern Mennonite University comparison
American University Eastern Mennonite University College 3 College 4
American University Eastern Mennonite University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

AU EMU
Location Washington, DC Harrisonburg, VA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,885 1,334
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #215
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu emu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU EMU
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $40,590
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $40,590
Room & Board $15,706 $12,240
Avg Net Price $41,369 $23,783
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $30,460
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 96%

Admission

AU EMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 1,144
Admitted 7,926 1,138
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 99.5%
Enrolled % 22.2% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Elite
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 25/34
SAT Range 1290/1430 1040/1590
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

AU EMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Health Professions (30%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • General Studies (5%)

Outcomes

AU EMU
Graduation Rate 77% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $43,900
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $23,450
Median Loan Payment $250 $242

Diversity

AU EMU
% Men 37% 34%
% Women 63% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 71%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 7% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

AU EMU
% In-State 2% 68%
% Out-of-State 94% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than EMU based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 1,334 students)

AU vs. EMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or EMU?

  • American University is 30.7% more expensive to attend than EMU for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $40,590.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.7% higher at AU than Eastern Mennonite University ($53,070.00 vs. $40,590.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Mennonite University than AU ($23,783 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 28.3% lower than costs at American University ($12,240 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than American University (96% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students is 12.2% larger than aid received American University ($30,460 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. EMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 243 points higher than at EMU (1009)
  • Incoming AU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at EMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at EMU (3.7)
  • EMU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. EMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than Eastern Mennonite University (77% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $20,900 more per year than EMU graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $43,900)
  • Eastern Mennonite University students graduate with a $800 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($23,450 vs. $24,250)
  • EMU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($242 vs. $250)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EMU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 80%)

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