Earlham vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Adventist University is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (3,229 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Earlham vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University than Earlham ($25,753 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 36.4% lower than at Earlham College ($8,900 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 97.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $26,630 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.5% higher at Earlham than at Southern Adventist University (about $26,630 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 214.8% larger than aid received by Southern Adventist University students ($40,618 vs. $12,904).

Earlham vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University and Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 40 points higher than at Southern Adventist University (1160).
• Incoming Earlham students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Southern Adventist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 1110/1290; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59).
• Earlham has a higher acceptance rate (73.1%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Earlham vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham and Southern Adventist University? 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).

• Earlham College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Southern Adventist University's (51%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Earlham College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Earlham graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Adventist University graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

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.