AU vs. George Washington

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

Georgetown Northeastern BU Fordham University of Richmond William & Mary Villanova Syracuse Miami NYU Washington and Lee Maryland
American University vs. George Washington University comparison
American University George Washington University College 3 College 4
American University George Washington University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

AU George Washington
Location Washington, DC Washington, DC
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 13,885 25,939
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #73
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu gwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU George Washington
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $62,110
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $62,110
Room & Board $15,706 $15,720
Avg Net Price $41,369 $42,723
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $35,257
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 78%

Admission

AU George Washington
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 27,266
Admitted 7,926 13,354
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 49%
Enrolled % 22.2% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.81
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 31/34
SAT Range 1290/1430 1330/1490
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 5, 2025

Academics

AU George Washington
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Social Sciences (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (4%)

Outcomes

AU George Washington
Graduation Rate 77% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $80,500
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $24,962
Median Loan Payment $250 $258

Diversity

AU George Washington
% Men 37% 38%
% Women 63% 62%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 56%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 7% 10%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

AU George Washington
% In-State 2% 1%
% Out-of-State 94% 89%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • George Washington University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (25,939 students vs. 13,885 students)

AU vs. George Washington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or George Washington?

  • George Washington University is 17% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($62,110.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17% higher at George Washington than American University ($62,110.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American University than George Washington ($41,369 vs. $42,723)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 0.1% lower than costs at George Washington University ($15,706 vs. $15,720)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at George Washington University than American University (78% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 29.9% larger than aid received American University ($35,257 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. George Washington Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at George Washington University (1294) is 42 points higher than at AU (1252)
  • Incoming George Washington students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at AU (3.7)
  • George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. George Washington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or George Washington? 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 George Washington and AU.

  • The graduation rate at George Washington is higher than American University (81% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from George Washington University earn on average $15,700 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($80,500 vs. $64,800)
  • American University students graduate with a $712 lower median federal student loan debt than George Washington graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,962)
  • AU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/