EIU vs. SAU

Should I go to Eastern Illinois University or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EIU or SAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Eastern Illinois University vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Eastern Illinois University Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Eastern Illinois University
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Overview

 EIU SAU
Location Charleston, IL Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Remote Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 8,857 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #672 #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EIU SAU
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $31,020
Room & Board $10,812 $10,652
Avg Net Price $13,380 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 EIU SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 2,312
Admitted 7,873 1,094
Acceptance Rate 68% 47.3%
Enrolled % 11.1% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 900/1120 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 EIU SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 EIU SAU
Graduation Rate 59% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $244 $248

Diversity

 EIU SAU
% Men 42% 23%
% Women 58% 77%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 77%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

 EIU SAU
% In-State 91% 83%
% Out-of-State 7% 13%

Campus

 EIU SAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 2,396 students)

EIU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 219.5% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $9,709.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 155.6% higher at SAU than Eastern Illinois University ($31,020.00 vs. $12,136.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than SAU ($13,380 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 1.5% lower than costs at Eastern Illinois University ($10,652 vs. $10,812)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 75.6% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($20,677 vs. $11,773)

EIU vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or EIU .

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 63 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at EIU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at EIU (3.39)
  • EIU has a higher acceptance rate (68%) than SAU (47.3%)

EIU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and EIU.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Spring Arbor University (59% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $900 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $42,600)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $393 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($23,650 vs. $24,043)
  • EIU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($244 vs. $248)
  • More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/