Spalding vs. Cleveland Institute of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spalding University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Cleveland Institute of Music is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1.

Spalding vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Spalding University than Cleveland Institute of Music ($25,999 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 41.5% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($9,710 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 81.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $23,680 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.1% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Spalding University (about $23,680 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University as at Cleveland Institute of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students is 60.5% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($31,191 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music and Spalding.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music.

Spalding vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding and Cleveland Institute of Music? 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).

• Cleveland Institute of Music's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Spalding University's (42%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 44%)

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.