Earlham vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Earlham vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Earlham ($21,067 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 18.2% lower than at Earlham College ($11,440 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 58.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $19,916 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Earlham than at Spring Arbor University (about $19,916 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 70.1% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($40,618 vs. $23,877).

Earlham vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham or SAU? 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 SAU and Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 70 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 1110/1290; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Earlham has a higher acceptance rate (73.1%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Earlham vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $1,957 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 58%)

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.