Spelman vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with North Central College in Naperville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; North Central College 12:1.

Spelman vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or North Central 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 North Central College than Spelman ($23,276 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 18.8% lower than at Spelman College ($14,688 vs. $18,091).
• North Central College is 44.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $14,170 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.9% higher at North Central College than at Spelman College (about $14,170 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 220.9% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($34,056 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or North Central 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 North Central College and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 30 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

Spelman vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and North Central 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 47%)

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.