Spelman vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Spelman vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than Spelman ($29,325 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 12.5% lower than at Spelman College ($15,834 vs. $18,091).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 50.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $15,949 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.5% higher at Jefferson than at Spelman College (about $15,949 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 229.8% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($35,007 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Jefferson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Spelman vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $71,600 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $51,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($12,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($129 vs. $279).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.