IU South Bend vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University South Bend is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (4,631 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University South Bend is located in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Indiana University South Bend 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 South Bend 15:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

IU South Bend vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend 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 South Bend than SAU ($9,003 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 11% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,184 vs. $11,440).
• Spring Arbor University is 303.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (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 South Bend (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 South Bend (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 185.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($23,877 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend 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 South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 60 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 950/1190; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 16.5% at SAU.

IU South Bend vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend 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 South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $487 lower median loan debt than IU South Bend graduates ($24,043 vs. $24,530).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU South Bend graduates ($248 vs. $253).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

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.