Spalding vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spalding University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Spalding vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College than Spalding ($20,082 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 26.6% lower than at Ferrum College ($9,710 vs. $13,230).
• Spalding University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $680 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Spalding than at Ferrum College (about $680 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 77.3% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($34,444 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ferrum College (990) is 30 points higher than at Spalding (960).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Ferrum College (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Spalding vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding and Ferrum 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).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($258 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.