Michigan Tech vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan Technological University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (7,403 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan Technological University 13:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Michigan Tech vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Technological University than SAU ($16,879 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 12.3% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($11,440 vs. $13,050).
• Spring Arbor University is 77.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan Tech (about $14,891 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $19,123.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Michigan Tech than at Spring Arbor University (about $8,974 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Michigan Technological University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 20% larger than aid received by Michigan Technological University students ($23,877 vs. $19,898).

Michigan Tech vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan Technological University (1240) is 110 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 1130/1350; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan Tech - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Michigan Tech vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Michigan Tech vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan Tech 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).

• Michigan Technological University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,857 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($248 vs. $278).
• More Michigan Tech 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.