SAU vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spring Arbor University is located in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spring Arbor University 12:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

SAU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SAU or WMU? 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 Western Michigan University than SAU ($17,331 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 6% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,440 vs. $12,174).
• Spring Arbor University is 123% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $18,762 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.7% higher at SAU than at Western Michigan University (about $14,980 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 116.1% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($23,877 vs. $11,048).

SAU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spring Arbor University 1010/1240; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SAU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at SAU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

SAU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SAU and WMU? 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).

• The graduation rate at SAU is the same as at Western Michigan University (56% vs. 56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,590 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($24,043 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($248 vs. $275).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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.