Spelman vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Hope College in Holland, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Hope College 9:1.

Spelman vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Hope 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 Hope College than Spelman ($30,700 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 28.4% lower than at Spelman College ($12,950 vs. $18,091).
• Hope College is 33% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $10,414 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at Hope College than at Spelman College (about $10,414 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at Spelman College (97% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 135% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($24,945 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or Hope 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 Hope College and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 10 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Spelman (3.75).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

Spelman vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Spelman College's (77%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hope College and Spelman graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hope College and Spelman graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.