SAU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in Slippery Rock, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (8,376 students vs. 2,441 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is in Slippery Rock, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

SAU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania than SAU ($18,252 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are 4.7% lower than at Spring Arbor University ($10,902 vs. $11,440).
• Spring Arbor University is 221.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $23,446 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $10,568.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.8% higher at SAU than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $19,338 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $14,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 248% larger than aid received by Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students ($23,877 vs. $6,862).

SAU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SAU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and SAU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 980/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSlippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SAU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (3.5).
• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania has a higher acceptance rate (71.5%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 33.5% at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

SAU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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.

• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $957 lower median loan debt than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.