DSC vs. Spalding

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Spalding University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than Spalding based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Spalding University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Spalding University 9:1.

DSC vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Spalding? 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 Dalton State College than Spalding ($5,625 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 6.8% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,710 vs. $10,419).
• Spalding University is 775.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $25,864 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174% higher at Spalding than at Dalton State College (about $18,544 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University than at Dalton State College (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spalding University students is 192% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($19,429 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Spalding Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or Spalding? 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 Spalding and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Spalding - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Spalding? 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).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $10,113 lower median loan debt than Spalding graduates ($14,887 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($153 vs. $258).
• More Spalding graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 42%)

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.