Spring Arbor University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Spring Arbor University is a private nonprofit institution located in Spring Arbor, Michigan with approximately 1,010 undergraduate students enrolled. Spring Arbor University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 52%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,353 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $45,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Spring Arbor University (SAU) is a private Free Methodist university in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Developing from an earlier academy and junior college, in 1963 it began offering bachelor's degrees. Attaining university status in 1994, it is the second-largest evangelical Christian university in Michigan. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 60% graduation rate and 74% freshman retention suggest that roughly 1 in 4 students don't make it to sophomore year, which is worth taking seriously. That said, the $20,899 average net price is genuinely reasonable for a private Christian university, and graduates earning a median of $45,000 a decade out with only $24,724 in debt leaves a manageable financial footprint. Worth considering if you're looking for a small, faith-centered campus in Michigan and have a clear plan to stay engaged and on track — but visit first and ask hard questions about student support.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Spring Arbor University graduates earn most above the national rate in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($91,869 vs $88,910 nationally), and most below it in Accounting and Related Services ($66,338 vs $76,194).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 78 | $49,642 | $51,790 | −$2,148 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 54 | $91,869 | $88,910 | +$2,959 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 34 | $62,928 | $68,257 | −$5,329 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 27 | $50,735 | $53,072 | −$2,337 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 10 | $47,270 | $51,389 | −$4,119 |
| Psychology, General | 9 | $41,167 | $50,706 | −$9,539 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 7 | $66,338 | $76,194 | −$9,856 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 7 | $43,021 | $41,367 | +$1,654 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 6 | $36,814 | $42,915 | −$6,101 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4 | $42,461 | $50,499 | −$8,038 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,010 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Spring Arbor University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Spring Arbor University?
Spring Arbor University has an acceptance rate of 52%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Spring Arbor University hard to get into?
Spring Arbor University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 52%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Spring Arbor University cost?
The average net price at Spring Arbor University is about $19,353 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Spring Arbor University?
Spring Arbor University has a graduation rate of 64%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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