Saginaw Valley State University vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University than SAU ($11,546 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 7.3% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($11,440 vs. $12,340).
• Spring Arbor University is 163.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $21,084 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at SAU than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $3,564 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 76.7% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($23,877 vs. $13,512).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 80 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; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• 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; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• Saginaw Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.1%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.