SAU vs. Pfeiffer University

Should I go to Spring Arbor University or Pfeiffer University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SAU or Pfeiffer University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Spring Arbor University vs. Pfeiffer University comparison
Spring Arbor University Pfeiffer University College 3 College 4
Pfeiffer University
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Overview

SAU Pfeiffer University
Location Spring Arbor, MI Misenheimer, NC
Setting Small Suburban Distant Rural
Enrollment 2,390 954
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #553
Religious Affiliation Free Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website arbor.edu pfeiffer.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SAU Pfeiffer University
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $32,580
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $32,580
Room & Board $10,960 $12,520
Avg Net Price $21,720 $21,402
Avg Grant Aid $21,522 $25,458
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

SAU Pfeiffer University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,145 1,637
Admitted 1,174 1,560
Acceptance Rate 37.3% 95.3%
Enrolled % 17.5% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.18
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 17/25 18/25
SAT Range 935/1165 891/1165
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

SAU Pfeiffer University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)

Outcomes

SAU Pfeiffer University
Graduation Rate 56% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $41,100
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,043 $22,399
Median Loan Payment $248 $231

Diversity

SAU Pfeiffer University
% Men 7% 8%
% Women 48% 24%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 77% 52%
% Black 10% 21%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 5% 15%

Students

SAU Pfeiffer University
% In-State 82% 78%
% Out-of-State 15% 22%

Campus

SAU Pfeiffer University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (2,390 students vs. 954 students)

SAU vs. Pfeiffer University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Pfeiffer University?

  • Pfeiffer University is 2% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($32,580.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2% higher at Pfeiffer University than Spring Arbor University ($32,580.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pfeiffer University than SAU ($21,402 vs. $21,720)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 14.2% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($10,960 vs. $12,520)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University as Pfeiffer University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 18.3% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($25,458 vs. $21,522)

SAU vs. Pfeiffer University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Pfeiffer University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Pfeiffer University or SAU .

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 142 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • Pfeiffer University has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than SAU (37.3%)

SAU vs. Pfeiffer University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SAU or Pfeiffer University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Pfeiffer University and SAU.

  • The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Pfeiffer University (56% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn on average $1,500 more per year than Pfeiffer University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $41,100)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $1,644 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($22,399 vs. $24,043)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($231 vs. $248)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pfeiffer University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/