AU vs. UNCG

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (18,012 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Greensboro is in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 18:1.

AU vs. UNCG Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UNCG? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than AU ($11,404 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 40.6% lower than at American University ($10,688 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 667.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $51,110 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.8% higher at AU than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $34,759 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro than at American University (87% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 268.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($36,349 vs. $9,863).

AU vs. UNCG Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UNCG? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNCG and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 120 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming AU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; UNCG - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 21.2% at UNCG.

AU vs. UNCG Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UNCG? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $25,700 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $1,513 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($22,737 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCG graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($235 vs. $250).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.