Spalding vs. Erskine College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Erskine College in Due West, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spalding University is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Erskine College is in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Erskine College 15:1.

Spalding vs. Erskine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding or Erskine College? 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 Erskine College than Spalding ($23,882 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 26.7% lower than at Erskine College ($9,710 vs. $13,250).
• Erskine College is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $7,510 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Erskine College than at Spalding University (about $7,510 more per year; $36,710.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University as at Erskine College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Erskine College students is 60.5% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($31,174 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. Erskine College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding or Erskine College? 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 Erskine College and Spalding.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Erskine College (1040) is 80 points higher than at Spalding (960).
• Incoming Erskine College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Spalding).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038; Erskine College 920/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22; Erskine College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; Erskine College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Erskine College (3.26).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 22.2% at Erskine College.

Spalding vs. Erskine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding and Erskine College? 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).

• Erskine College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Spalding University's (42%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Erskine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Erskine College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Erskine College graduates ($258 vs. $276).
• More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 44%)

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.