SAU vs. Guilford College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Guilford College in Greensboro, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SAU vs. Guilford College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Guilford 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 Guilford College ($21,067 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 14.6% lower than at Guilford College ($11,440 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 21.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $7,348 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at Guilford College than at Spring Arbor University (about $7,348 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Guilford College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 40% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($33,419 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. Guilford College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 60 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Guilford College 1120/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGuilford College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Guilford College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 10.1% at Guilford College.

SAU vs. Guilford College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Guilford 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,592 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($248 vs. $275).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

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.