Spelman vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Spelman vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Sewanee? 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 The University of the South than Spelman ($34,815 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 11.4% lower than at Spelman College ($16,028 vs. $18,091).
• The University of the South is 77.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $24,564 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at Sewanee than at Spelman College (about $24,564 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Spelman College (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 250.2% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($37,171 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 120 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Spelman vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Sewanee? 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Spelman College's (77%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.