Quinnipiac vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT with American University in Washington, DC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Quinnipiac based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 9,424 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Quinnipiac University is located in Hamden, CT (Large Suburban setting); American University is in Washington, DC (Large City setting).
• Quinnipiac University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Quinnipiac University 12:1; American University 10:1.

Quinnipiac vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Quinnipiac or AU? 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 American University than Quinnipiac ($39,676 vs. $40,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Quinnipiac University are 4% lower than at American University ($17,260 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Quinnipiac (about $3,291 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $55,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at AU than at Quinnipiac University (about $3,291 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $55,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Quinnipiac University than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Quinnipiac University students ($36,349 vs. $31,568).

Quinnipiac vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Quinnipiac or AU? 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 AU and Quinnipiac.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 130 points higher than at Quinnipiac (1240).
• Incoming AU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Quinnipiac).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Quinnipiac University 1150/1320; American University 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Quinnipiac University 25/30; American University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Quinnipiac - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Quinnipiac Feb 1, 2027; AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Quinnipiac (3.39).
• Quinnipiac has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.1% at Quinnipiac vs. 15.6% at AU.

Quinnipiac vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Quinnipiac and AU? 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).

• The graduation rate at Quinnipiac is the same as at American University (77% vs. 77%).
• Graduates from Quinnipiac University earn a median of about $700 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,500 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Quinnipiac graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Quinnipiac graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Quinnipiac 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.