SAU Admission Requirements

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Spring Arbor, MI
  • 3.2 4 reviews
#8 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

SAU Admission Overview

SAU admission requirements are competitive. Last year SAU admitted 51.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.61 GPA (A-) and SAT 1010-1240. SAU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SAU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

51.5%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Spring Arbor University

Acceptance Rate

The SAU acceptance rate is 51.5%. Last year, 1,302 of 2,527 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in Michigan.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SAU and can you get accepted?

SAU is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Spring Arbor University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.61. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SAU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.61

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.61

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at SAU typically have around a 3.61 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. SAU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #13 in Michigan for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

SAU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1010-1240

Freshmen who sent SAT

4%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 540
  • Math 470
  • Composite 1010
SAT 25th percentile scores for Spring Arbor University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 630
  • Math 610
  • Composite 1240
SAT 75th percentile scores for Spring Arbor University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at SAU typically score around a 1130 SAT (middle 50% 1010–1240) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 64th percentile nationally. SAU ranks #13 in the state of Michigan for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1010 to 1240

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

SAU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Spring Arbor University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1240+ Above 75th >67%
1130 to 1240 Avg + 53%-67%
1010 to 1130 Avg - 36%-53%
Below 1010 Below mid-50 <36%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SAU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 25th percentile scores for Spring Arbor University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 75th percentile scores for Spring Arbor University

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

86% of Spring Arbor University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Spring Arbor University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 22%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 86%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the SAU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Spring Arbor University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,643 884 2,527
Accepted 865 437 1,302
Acceptance Rate 53% 49% 52%
Enrolled 142 73 215
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 17% 17%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Spring Arbor University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Spring Arbor University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Spring Arbor University is $30.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Spring Arbor University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

SAU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 51.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.61 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1010-1240); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Spring Arbor University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=172334.

GPA calculator: Spring Arbor University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026