Australian National University
A world-leading research university known for academic excellence and innovation. Consistently ranked among the top institutions globally, offering cutting-edge programs across multiple disciplines with strong industry connections.
- Acceptance Rate
- 11.0%
- SAT Range
- N/A
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.75
- Size
- Large (42,634 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:12
- Setting
- rural
- Graduation Rate
- 92.0%
- Retention Rate
- 96.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $12,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $50,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Campus life at ANU revolves heavily around the residential colleges, which house about a third of undergraduates. Each college has its own personality, dining hall, and social calendar. Bruce Hall attracts the sporty crowd, Burgmann draws religious students, and Fenner tends toward the environmentally conscious. Living in college costs more than renting off-campus but provides an instant social network that off-campus students often struggle to replicate. The bar scene centers on University House, which serves remarkably cheap drinks and hosts various academic functions where students mingle with visiting scholars. Canberra's reputation as boring works in the university's favor for studying, though students do complain about limited nightlife options compared to Sydney or Melbourne. The union runs dozens of clubs, with the debating society and Model UN being particularly active given the political surroundings. Intramural sports compete through the residential college system, creating genuine rivalries. The farmers' market on Saturday mornings brings the campus together, with students, faculty, and locals mixing over coffee and pastries. Winter gets genuinely cold by Australian standards, and you'll see students huddled in college common rooms rather than spreading across the lawns.
Location & Surroundings
Canberra confuses first-time visitors expecting a typical Australian city. Designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1913, the city follows geometric patterns around a central lake, with wide boulevards and abundant parkland. The population of about 450,000 feels more like a large town, and you'll quickly learn to recognize faces. The city essentially shuts down at night compared to Sydney or Melbourne, which students either appreciate or resent depending on their priorities. Lake Burley Griffin sits at the heart of everything, offering running paths, sailing clubs, and surprisingly good cycling infrastructure. The national institutions cluster nearby, including Parliament House, the National Gallery, and the Australian War Memorial, all providing free admission and world-class collections. Snow falls on the surrounding mountains each winter, with ski resorts about two hours away at Thredbo and Perisher. The coast sits about two hours east, with Batemans Bay offering beach getaways when Canberra feels too landlocked. Rent runs cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne, though the city lacks public transport outside the new light rail line. Most students end up cycling or driving.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Domestic students pay through the HECS-HELP system, deferring tuition until they earn above the threshold salary after graduation. Annual fees range from about 4,000 to 11,000 Australian dollars depending on the field, with humanities on the lower end and law and medicine higher. International students pay upfront, with fees typically between 40,000 and 50,000 AUD annually. Living costs in Canberra run somewhat cheaper than Sydney but higher than regional cities, with residential colleges charging around 15,000 to 25,000 AUD annually for room and board. The careers service maintains exceptionally strong connections to federal government agencies, with many students securing internships in parliamentary offices, the public service, or research agencies. Law graduates frequently clerk for the High Court, located just down the road. The alumni network punches above its weight in politics, public policy, and diplomacy, reflecting the university's location and mission. Private sector recruiting is less intensive than at Melbourne or Sydney universities, though Canberra's growing tech sector has created new opportunities. Graduate employment rates consistently rank among the highest in Australia.
Campus Location
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