Is American University worth the extra cost compared with Virginia Tech?

The central tradeoff is paying substantially more for American University’s Washington, D.C., access and smaller private-school environment versus gaining Virginia Tech’s much lower debt burden and larger campus resources. American’s location can make semester-time internships with government agencies, nonprofits, advocacy groups, media organizations, and international institutions more accessible.

American can justify a meaningful premium when your intended major and career plan depend directly on D.C. access. That is most plausible for areas such as politics, public policy, international relations, communications, justice-related work, or certain nonprofit and public-sector paths, especially if you would actively pursue internships throughout the academic year.

But location is an opportunity, not an automatic outcome. Students still need to build relationships, apply early, and make room in their schedules for internships. For majors where hands-on technical training, recruiting, research, or professional licensure matter more than proximity to federal institutions, the price gap is harder to defend.

With the information given, Virginia Tech is the more responsible choice unless American’s additional cost is manageable without substantial borrowing and you have a concrete D.C.-centered academic or career reason to use its location from your first year onward. Lower debt gives you more freedom after graduation to take internships, consider graduate school, relocate, or accept an entry-level role that fits your goals.