SAU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Spring Arbor University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 709 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Ripon College 12:1.

SAU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Ripon 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 Ripon College ($21,067 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 5.6% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,800 vs. $11,440).
• Ripon College is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $17,886 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at Ripon College than at Spring Arbor University (about $17,886 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 66.3% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($39,716 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Ripon College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ripon College and SAU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is the same as at Ripon College (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresRipon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SAU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

SAU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Ripon College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $3,957 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($24,043 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($248 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.