Spelman vs. Umary

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with University of Mary in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (3,861 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); University of Mary is in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; University of Mary 14:1.

Spelman vs. Umary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Umary? 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 University of Mary than Spelman ($20,156 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 48.7% lower than at Spelman College ($9,276 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 41.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Umary (about $9,200 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.2% higher at Spelman than at University of Mary (about $9,200 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary than at Spelman College (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary students is 28.1% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($13,601 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Umary Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary (1230) is 20 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Umary).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; University of Mary 1110/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; University of Mary 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Umary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Umary (3.37).
• Umary has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 41.4% at Umary.

Spelman vs. Umary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Umary? 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 University of Mary's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Mary earn a median of about $600 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $51,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Umary graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Umary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.