Spring Arbor University (SAU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Spring Arbor, MI that costs an average of $19,227 a year after financial aid, admits 52% of applicants and graduates 62% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$19,227
Acceptance rate
52%
Graduation rate
62%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$56,715
Private nonprofitRural (fringe)1,010 undergraduates
Cost of SAU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $47,417 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $35,530 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,960 |
| Books and supplies | $900 |
| Average net price after aid | $19,227 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $13,186 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $12,052 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $15,960 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $19,923 |
| $110,001+ | $23,380 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with SAU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 52% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,170 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 540–630 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 470–610 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 62% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 77% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $48,100 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $56,715 |
| Rank in Michigan (earnings) | 28th of 43 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $25,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $284 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 31% |
| Students with federal loans | 50% |
Majors and programs at SAU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (60)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 82 | $80,233 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 64 | $58,372 | $24,024 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 11 | $48,502 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 28 | $42,440 | $23,000 |
| Social Work | 126 | $41,961 | $26,095 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 40 | $40,039 | $26,849 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 3 | — | — |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Biology | 12 | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 7 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 6 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 5 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | — | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 4 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 3 | — | — |
| Engineering Physics | 4 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 5 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 3 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 19 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 8 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| History | 9 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Human Services | 1 | — | — |
| International Business | 1 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Journalism | 3 | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 2 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | — | — | — |
| Marketing | 12 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 2 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | — | — | — |
| Music | 10 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | — | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | — | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 7 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 6 | — | — |
| Physics | 3 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | — | — | — |
| Psychology | 17 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 2 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 2 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Religious Music and Worship | 1 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Sociology | 5 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 8 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 33 | — | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 11 | — | — |
| Teaching Assistants/Aides | — | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | — | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | — | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 5 | — | — |
| Music | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (13)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 450 | $104,543 | $53,767 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 78 | $72,360 | — |
| Social Work | 217 | $57,170 | $28,800 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 133 | — | $59,573 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Education | — | — | $22,484 |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | 30 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 84 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 29 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 3 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 9 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
Professional degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 24 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 38 | — | — |
| Social Work | 4 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Michigan
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquinas College | Grand Rapids | $19,678 | 90% | $53,667 |
| The University of Olivet | Olivet | $19,506 | 83% | $54,181 |
| Alma College | Alma | $24,918 | 57% | $59,874 |
| Kalamazoo College | Kalamazoo | $20,784 | 75% | $66,766 |
| Kettering University | Flint | $29,797 | 79% | $96,136 |
| Andrews University | Berrien Springs | $29,164 | 82% | $59,582 |
| College for Creative Studies | Detroit | $32,332 | 92% | $54,082 |
| Rochester Christian University | Rochester Hills | $18,100 | 98% | $50,729 |
About SAU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Spring Arbor, MI |
| Setting | Rural (fringe) |
| Undergraduates | 1,010 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 12 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | springarbor.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is SAU's acceptance rate?
Spring Arbor University admits 52% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,170 on the SAT.
How much does SAU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $47,417 a year (tuition and fees: $35,530). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $19,227 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $13,186.
How much do SAU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $56,715 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 28th of 43 similar colleges in Michigan. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($80,233 a year after graduation).
What is SAU's graduation rate?
62% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 77% of first-year students return for a second year.