IU Northwest vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

IU Northwest vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than SAU ($5,745 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 4.1% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,972 vs. $11,440).
• Spring Arbor University is 303.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $25,590 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.1% higher at SAU than at Indiana University Northwest (about $11,203 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 186.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($23,877 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 80 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• IU Northwest has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 16.5% at SAU.

IU Northwest vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $987 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 33%)

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.