Head-to-head · 2026
American University vs The Catholic University of America
Compare average net price ($41,943 at American University; $29,561 at The Catholic University of America), ROI score (4.61 vs 6.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($77,370 vs $73,250), and admissions selectivity (62% acceptance at American University; 82.8% at The Catholic University of America) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | American University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.61 | 6.19 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $41,943 | $29,561 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $167,772 | $118,244 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $58,771 | $58,378 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $58,771 | $58,378 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $77,370 ✓ | $73,250 |
| Acceptance rate | 62% | 82.8% |
| Graduation rate | 75.5% | 79.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 88.2% ✓ | 86.5% |
| Median debt | $22,750 ✓ | $26,000 |
| Enrollment | 7,266 | 3,154 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1381 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | American University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $23,233 | $17,358 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $20,444 | $17,895 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $26,035 | $24,723 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $30,063 | $28,295 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $53,673 | $37,651 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | American University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.5% | 10.8% |
| Law | 7.1% | 7.4% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.5% | 5.3% |
| Psychology, General | 1.8% | 6.4% |
| Economics | 3.1% | 2.4% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.1% | 1.6% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 3.4% | 0.1% |
| Philosophy | 0.8% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
The Catholic University of America reports the lower average net price by $12,382 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $49,528 difference over four years ($118,244 vs $167,772).
American University reports $4,120 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($77,370 vs $73,250). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 88.2% at American University and 86.5% at The Catholic University of America. Median federal debt among completers is $22,750 vs $26,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
American University vs The Catholic University of America, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
The Catholic University of America is cheaper — average net price $29,561 per year vs $41,943 at American University. The annual difference of $12,382 adds up to about $49,528 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
American University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $77,370 vs $73,250 at The Catholic University of America. The gap in the federal data is $4,120. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
American University is more selective at 62% acceptance vs 82.8% at The Catholic University of America.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.