Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carlow University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI with Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than Carlow University based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 2,416 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Carlow University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carlow University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Carlow University 12:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University or Carlow University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Carlow University ($11,546 vs. $21,002).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 10.6% lower than at Carlow University ($12,340 vs. $13,808).
• Carlow University is 177.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $22,944 more per year; $35,874.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at Carlow University than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $5,424 more per year; $35,874.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carlow University than at Saginaw Valley State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 108.9% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($28,233 vs. $13,512).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carlow University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University or Carlow University? 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 Carlow University and Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carlow University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Carlow University 960/1168.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; Carlow University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• Carlow University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 15.7% at Carlow University.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State University and Carlow University? 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).

• Carlow University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Carlow University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carlow University and Saginaw Valley State University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carlow University and Saginaw Valley State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 48%)

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.