SAU vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

SAU vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College ($21,067 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 14.7% lower than at Cedar Crest College ($11,440 vs. $13,406).
• Cedar Crest College is 36.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $12,300 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Spring Arbor University (about $12,300 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Cedar Crest College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 39.6% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($33,323 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 10 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

SAU vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Cedar Crest 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $3,707 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($248 vs. $286).
• More Cedar Crest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.