Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Michigan State UM-Dearborn Oakland Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Eastern Michigan University CMU Michigan GVSU WMU Cleveland State Michigan Tech UM-Flint| Spring Arbor University | Wayne State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
SAU | WSU | ||
| Location | Spring Arbor, MI | Detroit, MI | ||
| Setting | Small Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,390 | 23,553 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #553 | #580 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Free Methodist | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | arbor.edu | wayne.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
SAU | WSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $31,940 | $12,493 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $31,940 | $28,615 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,960 | $11,762 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $21,720 | $16,021 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $21,522 | $10,862 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 95% |
Admission |
SAU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,145 | 15,190 | ||
| Admitted | 1,174 | 12,461 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 37.3% | 82% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.5% | 24% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.61 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | High | |||
| ACT Range | 17/25 | 21/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 935/1165 | 1040/1260 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
Academics |
SAU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 13:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
SAU | WSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 26% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,600 | $51,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 38% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,043 | $22,258 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $248 | $230 |
Diversity |
SAU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 12% | ||
| % Women | 48% | 19% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 77% | 57% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 5% |
Students |
SAU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 82% | 95% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 15% | 2% | ||
Campus |
SAU | WSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Wayne State University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (23,553 students vs. 2,390 students)
SAU vs. WSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, SAU or WSU?
- Spring Arbor University is 155.7% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $12,493.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11.6% higher at SAU than Wayne State University ($31,940.00 vs. $28,615.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State University than SAU ($16,021 vs. $21,720)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 7.3% lower than costs at Wayne State University ($10,960 vs. $11,762)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Wayne State University (100% vs. 95%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 98.1% larger than aid received Wayne State University ($21,522 vs. $10,862)
SAU vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, SAU or WSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WSU or SAU .
- The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 3 points higher than at WSU (1070)
- Incoming SAU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WSU (23)
- Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WSU (3.42)
- WSU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than SAU (37.3%)
SAU vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, SAU or WSU? 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 WSU and SAU.
- The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Wayne State University (56% vs. 26%)
- Graduates from Wayne State University earn on average $8,400 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $42,600)
- Wayne State University students graduate with a $1,785 lower median federal student loan debt than SAU graduates. ($22,258 vs. $24,043)
- WSU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than SAU graduates. ($230 vs. $248)
- More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 38%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/