Side-by-side
American University vs Vanderbilt University
The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.
Same u setting in the South, but more selective (6% vs 62%) — a stretch target if American University is already on your list.
| American University | Vanderbilt University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 62% | 6% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $58,771 | $67,498 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $58,771 | $67,498 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | — | $67,498 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | — | $67,498 |
| Graduation rate | 77% | 93% |
| Total enrollment | 7,266 | 7,208 |
Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/american-university-vs-vanderbilt-university.