IUPUI vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (22,534 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Indiana University Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 13:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

IUPUI vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI 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 Indianapolis than SAU ($12,228 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 14% lower than at Indiana University Indianapolis ($11,440 vs. $13,308).
• Spring Arbor University is 216.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IUPUI (about $23,252 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $10,762.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at IUPUI than at Spring Arbor University (about $877 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Indiana University Indianapolis (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 115% larger than aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students ($23,877 vs. $11,104).

IUPUI vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IUPUI 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 IUPUI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Indianapolis (1140) is 10 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Indianapolis 1030/1240; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IUPUI - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IUPUI May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at IUPUI (3.52).
• IUPUI has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at IUPUI vs. 16.5% at SAU.

IUPUI vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IUPUI 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 Indianapolis's (33%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Indianapolis earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Indianapolis graduates have a $953 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($23,090 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, IUPUI graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($238 vs. $248).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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.