OC Comets vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI 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 OC Comets based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Olivet is located in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Olivet 17:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

OC Comets vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OC Comets 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 The University of Olivet than SAU ($19,362 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 9% lower than at The University of Olivet ($11,440 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $54 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at OC Comets than at Spring Arbor University (about $54 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($27,858 vs. $23,877).

OC Comets vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OC Comets 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 OC Comets.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 110 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Olivet 910/1120; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OC Comets - Test-free; SAU - Test optional.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OC Comets vs. 16.5% at SAU.

OC Comets vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OC Comets 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets 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.