SAU vs. Capital University

Should I go to Spring Arbor University or Capital University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SAU or Capital University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Spring Arbor University vs. Capital University comparison
Spring Arbor University Capital University College 3 College 4
Capital University
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Overview

SAU Capital University
Location Spring Arbor, MI Columbus, OH
Setting Small Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,390 2,388
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #553 #541
Religious Affiliation Free Methodist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website arbor.edu capital.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SAU Capital University
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $41,298
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $41,298
Room & Board $10,960 $13,446
Avg Net Price $21,720 $22,480
Avg Grant Aid $21,522 $31,567
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

SAU Capital University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,145 4,365
Admitted 1,174 3,194
Acceptance Rate 37.3% 73.2%
Enrolled % 17.5% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.63
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 17/25 18/25
SAT Range 935/1165 980/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

SAU Capital University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

SAU Capital University
Graduation Rate 56% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $47,300
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,043 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

SAU Capital University
% Men 7% 12%
% Women 48% 15%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 75%
% Black 10% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

SAU Capital University
% In-State 82% 92%
% Out-of-State 15% 7%

Campus

SAU Capital University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than Capital University based on total student enrollment (2,390 students vs. 2,388 students)

SAU vs. Capital University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Capital University?

  • Capital University is 29.3% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($41,298.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.3% higher at Capital University than Spring Arbor University ($41,298.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than Capital University ($21,720 vs. $22,480)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 22.7% lower than costs at Capital University ($10,960 vs. $13,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Capital University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 46.7% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($31,567 vs. $21,522)

SAU vs. Capital University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Capital University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Capital University or SAU .

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 60 points higher than at SAU (1073)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SAU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Capital University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at SAU (3.61)
  • Capital University has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than SAU (37.3%)

SAU vs. Capital University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SAU or Capital University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Capital University and SAU.

  • The graduation rate at Capital University is higher than Spring Arbor University (61% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Capital University earn on average $4,700 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($47,300 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $2,957 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($24,043 vs. $27,000)
  • SAU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/