SAU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Kent is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

SAU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($21,067 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 17.1% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($11,440 vs. $13,794).
• Spring Arbor University is 157.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $20,782 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at SAU than at Kent State University at Kent (about $10,932 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Kent State University at Kent (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 137% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($23,877 vs. $10,076).

SAU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is the same as at Kent State (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsKent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have the same average high school GPA (3.61) as students at Kent State (3.61).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

SAU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Kent State 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 $1,782 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($248 vs. $267).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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.