AU vs. EC

American University and Elmira College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Elmira College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (62% admitted vs 77%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: EC. Average net price is $23,682 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs EC 60%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs EC $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

American University Elmira College
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU62%
EC77%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1280-1460
EC1090-1385
Average net price
EC $15,994 less
AU$39,676
EC$23,682
In-state tuition
EC $19,795 less
AU$58,771
EC$38,976
Out-of-state tuition
EC $19,795 less
AU$58,771
EC$38,976
Graduation rate
AU +17 pts
AU77%
EC60%
Median earnings (10 years)
AU +$18,800
AU$64,800
EC$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • EC 2,674
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • EC 2,058
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • EC 77%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • EC 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • EC 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • EC 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • EC 3.22
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • EC B+
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • EC Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • EC
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • EC 1090-1385
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • EC 26-29
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • EC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • EC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • EC $38,976
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • EC $38,976
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • EC $14,550
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • EC $23,682
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • EC $28,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • EC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • EC 60%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • EC $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • EC 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • EC $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • EC $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • EC 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • EC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Psychology (7%)

  • School basics

  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • EC Elmira, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • EC Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • EC 786
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • EC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • EC

Comparable Facts

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

American University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 19.1% lower than at American University ($14,550 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at AU than at Elmira College (about $19,795 more per year; $58,771 vs. $38,976).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 26.3% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($36,349 vs. $28,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at AU than at EC (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and EC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.48 higher than at EC (3.22).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 12.3% at EC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 72%).

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

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