SAU vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Spring Arbor University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Chatham University 10:1.

SAU vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($21,067 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 15.9% lower than at Chatham University ($11,440 vs. $13,600).
• Chatham University is 31.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $10,612 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.2% higher at Chatham than at Spring Arbor University (about $10,612 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Chatham University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 26% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($30,095 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 50 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsChatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Chatham has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

SAU vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Chatham? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $3,543 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($211 vs. $248).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.