SAU vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

SAU vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or TLU? 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 TLU ($21,067 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 7.4% lower than at Texas Lutheran University ($11,440 vs. $12,350).
• Texas Lutheran University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $2,216 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at TLU than at Spring Arbor University (about $2,216 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University as at Texas Lutheran University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($24,861 vs. $23,877).

SAU vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is the same as at TLU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SAU (3.61).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 16.8% at TLU.

SAU vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and TLU? 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 Texas Lutheran University's (49%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.