Spelman vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 3,229 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Spelman vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University than Spelman ($25,753 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 50.8% lower than at Spelman College ($8,900 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $4,256 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at Spelman than at Southern Adventist University (about $4,256 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Adventist University than at Spelman College (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($12,904 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 50 points higher than at Southern Adventist University (1160).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Southern Adventist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59).
• Southern Adventist University has a higher acceptance rate (65.5%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Spelman vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University's (51%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Southern Adventist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.