SAU vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carthage College is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (2,844 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Carthage College 14:1.

SAU vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($21,067 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 14.9% lower than at Carthage College ($11,440 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $4,736 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Carthage than at Spring Arbor University (about $4,736 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Carthage College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Carthage College students ($23,877 vs. $23,784).

SAU vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Carthage? 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 Carthage and SAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 30 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCarthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

SAU vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.