Augustana vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Augustana College is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (2,570 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Augustana vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Augustana ($21,067 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 8.5% lower than at Augustana College ($11,440 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 51.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $17,584 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.7% higher at Augustana than at Spring Arbor University (about $17,584 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 64.4% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($39,242 vs. $23,877).

Augustana vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or SAU? 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 SAU and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augustana College (1150) is 20 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• Augustana has a higher acceptance rate (62.7%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Augustana vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and SAU? 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).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 58%)

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.