Spelman vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

Spelman vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or ASU? 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 Appalachian State University than Spelman ($14,978 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 28.9% lower than at Spelman College ($12,868 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 316.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $23,977 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Spelman than at Appalachian State University (about $6,344 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at Appalachian State University (96% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spelman College students is 32.4% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,614 vs. $8,014).

Spelman vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or ASU? 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 ASU and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 10 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Spelman (3.75).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 18.2% at ASU.

Spelman vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and ASU? 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 47%)

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.