Illinois College vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL 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 Illinois College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 Illinois College than SAU ($17,375 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 4.9% lower than at Illinois College ($11,440 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $4,662 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Illinois College than at Spring Arbor University (about $4,662 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 32.4% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($31,609 vs. $23,877).

Illinois College vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 100 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Illinois College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.