SAU vs. Alfred State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in Alfred, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (3,781 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is in Alfred, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 16:1.

SAU vs. Alfred State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or Alfred State 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 SUNY College of Technology at Alfred than SAU ($15,283 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 21.8% lower than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred ($11,440 vs. $14,624).
• Spring Arbor University is 282.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alfred State College (about $25,122 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at SAU than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (about $17,177 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $16,837.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 139.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Technology at Alfred students ($23,877 vs. $9,966).

SAU vs. Alfred State College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 30 points higher than at Alfred State College (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; SUNY College of Technology at Alfred 990/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY College of Technology at Alfred 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; Alfred State College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Alfred State College (3.1).
• Alfred State College has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 16% at Alfred State College.

SAU vs. Alfred State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and Alfred State 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).

• SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Alfred State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Technology at Alfred graduates have a $9,169 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($14,874 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, Alfred State College graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($153 vs. $248).
• More Alfred State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.