IWU vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IWU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 Spring Arbor University than IWU ($21,067 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 5% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,868 vs. $11,440).
• Spring Arbor University is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $1,662 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at SAU than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (about $1,662 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students ($23,877 vs. $21,405).

IWU vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 60 points higher than at IWU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have the same average high school GPA (3.61) as students at SAU (3.61).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 16.5% at SAU.

IWU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $61 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($24,043 vs. $24,104).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($248 vs. $249).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 55%)

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.