Hope College vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, MI with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope College 9:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Hope College vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope College or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Hope College ($11,546 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 4.7% lower than at Hope College ($12,340 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 224.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $29,040 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at Hope College than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $11,520 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Hope College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 84.6% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($24,945 vs. $13,512).

Hope College vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hope College or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Hope College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 170 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 1100/1340; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Hope College vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope College and Saginaw Valley State 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Hope College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saginaw Valley State University and Hope College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saginaw Valley State University and Hope College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 48%)

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.