Spalding vs. Dean College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Dean College in Franklin, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spalding University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Dean College is in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Dean College 15:1.

Spalding vs. Dean College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding or Dean College? 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 Dean College ($25,999 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 51.1% lower than at Dean College ($9,710 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 59.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $17,326 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at Dean College than at Spalding University (about $17,326 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University as at Dean College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 69.6% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($32,958 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. Dean College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding or Dean College? 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 Dean College 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; Dean College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.99 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 8.7% at Dean College.

Spalding vs. Dean College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding and Dean College? 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Spalding University's (42%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $8,647 lower median loan debt than Spalding graduates ($16,353 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($169 vs. $258).
• More Dean College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.