SAU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

SAU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than SAU ($15,169 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 21.5% lower than at West Virginia University ($11,440 vs. $14,582).
• Spring Arbor University is 236.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $23,910 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at SAU than at West Virginia University (about $5,406 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at West Virginia University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 93.1% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($23,877 vs. $12,363).

SAU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 10 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WVU (3.45).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

SAU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $42 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($24,001 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, West Virginia University and SAU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($248 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.