Louisville vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Louisville vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville than SAU ($19,785 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 9% lower than at University of Louisville ($11,440 vs. $12,576).
• Spring Arbor University is 158.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $20,878 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at SAU than at University of Louisville (about $4,532 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at University of Louisville (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 62.7% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($23,877 vs. $14,677).

Louisville vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 30 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Louisville vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $4,387 lower median loan debt than SAU graduates ($19,656 vs. $24,043).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SAU graduates ($203 vs. $248).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.