SAU vs. Ashland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Ashland University in Ashland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ashland University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (4,106 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Ashland University is in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Ashland University 14:1.

SAU vs. Ashland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Ashland 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 Spring Arbor University than Ashland College ($21,067 vs. $22,610).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 15.7% lower than at Ashland University ($11,440 vs. $13,568).
• Spring Arbor University is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ashland College (about $2,804 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at SAU than at Ashland University (about $2,804 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Ashland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Ashland University students ($23,877 vs. $20,835).

SAU vs. Ashland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Ashland 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 Ashland College and SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 10 points higher than at Ashland College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Ashland University 1035/1208.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAshland University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Ashland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Ashland College (3.54).
• Ashland College has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 15.9% at Ashland College.

SAU vs. Ashland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Ashland 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).

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Ashland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,207 lower median loan debt than Ashland College graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ashland College graduates ($248 vs. $271).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 58%)

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.