SAU vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Salem College 9:1.

SAU vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Salem 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 Salem College than SAU ($18,668 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 16.6% lower than at Salem College ($11,440 vs. $13,710).
• Spring Arbor University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $166 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at SAU than at Salem College (about $166 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($30,001 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Salem 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 Salem College and SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 20 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

SAU vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Salem 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.