University of Illinois Springfield vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, IL with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (4,628 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Springfield is located in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Springfield 13:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Illinois Springfield or SAU? 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 University of Illinois Springfield than SAU ($10,809 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 6.6% lower than at University of Illinois Springfield ($11,440 vs. $12,242).
• Spring Arbor University is 177.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Illinois Springfield (about $21,762 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $12,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at SAU than at University of Illinois Springfield (about $11,997 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $22,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at University of Illinois Springfield (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 62.8% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students ($23,877 vs. $14,666).

University of Illinois Springfield vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Illinois Springfield or SAU? 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 SAU and University of Illinois Springfield.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 60 points higher than at University of Illinois Springfield (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• University of Illinois Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield vs. 16.5% at SAU.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Illinois Springfield and SAU? 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).

• University of Illinois Springfield's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($18,793 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($194 vs. $248).
• More University of Illinois Springfield 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.