Spring Arbor University
- Graduation Rate
- 61% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,732 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,353 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 52% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,121,444.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 27% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $15.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Spring Arbor University Matters
Spring Arbor University is a private university in Spring Arbor, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,010
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 64
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Spring Arbor University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 52% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1240. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,353 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,732 ten years after enrolling — 27% above the typical college, against $26,375 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 82% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 1,010 students, Spring Arbor University appeals to those looking for a close-knit community where personal connections are prioritized. Students here can dive into various fields such as Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Humanities, and Visual & Performing Arts. This diverse range allows individuals to explore their passions while also preparing them for meaningful careers.
After graduation, the average earnings sit at about $51,732 ten years later. This can be a solid foundation for many, especially when considering the relatively affordable cost of education here. While we don’t have specific mobility data, the affordability and the value of a degree from Spring Arbor can lead to upward movement in careers for many graduates. This aspect can be particularly attractive for those who want a degree that translates well into the job market.
When we break down the finances, the net price after aid comes to around $19,353. With a median debt of $26,375, it's essential to consider how this aligns with career goals. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who value a supportive environment and are eager to engage deeply with their studies and community. This setting can foster both personal and professional growth, setting the stage for a fulfilling post-college life.
Rankings
- #12 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #12 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Engineering
- #12 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
- #12 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering
- #12 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Civil Engineering
- #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Engineering
- #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
- #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering
Can I Get In?
How selective Spring Arbor University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Spring Arbor University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Spring Arbor University, located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 52% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,170. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 52%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1170
- SAT Range
- 1010–1240
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,316
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 2,312
- Admitted
- 1,094
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set ·
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Spring Arbor University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 23% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 23%
- of admits enroll
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Spring Arbor University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Spring Arbor University is $34,014, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,353. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,530 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,375 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,014
- Out-of-State
- $34,014
- Avg Net Price
- $19,353
- Median Debt
- $26,375
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,530
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,697
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,197
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,370
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Spring Arbor University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Spring Arbor University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $51,732, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,592
- 8 Years
- $48,600
- 10 Years
- $51,732
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (159)
- 47%
- 100% (159)
- 47%
- 100% (159)
- 47%
- 100% (159)
- 47%
How Spring Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Spring Arbor University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Spring Arbor University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,353/year ($77,412 total). Graduates earn $51,732 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,198,856 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,121,444 (15.5× your investment). The median debt is $26,375, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 61% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $77,412
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,198,856
- Net Return
- $1,121,444
- ROI Multiple
- 15.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,353
- Median Debt
- $26,375
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Spring Arbor University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Spring Arbor University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.92%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.92%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $111,138
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $669,315
Top Programs
The fields Spring Arbor University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 16% $63,400 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $86,488 early-career
- Education 11% $44,467 early-career
- Humanities 7%
- Psychology 4% $35,787 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $34,806 early-career
- Criminal Justice 2% $33,215 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 2% $29,935 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Spring Arbor University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Spring Arbor University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Spring Arbor University, located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 52% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,170. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Spring Arbor University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Spring Arbor University is $34,014, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,353. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,530 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,375 in federal student loans.
Is Spring Arbor University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $51,732, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Spring Arbor University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Spring Arbor University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.92%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Spring Arbor University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Spring Arbor University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Spring Arbor University offer Early Decision?
No. Spring Arbor University does not report a binding Early Decision plan.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Spring Arbor University?
About 23% of admitted students choose to enroll at Spring Arbor University — its yield rate. Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Spring Arbor University.
- Quincy UniversityQuincy, IL · Close peer44% grad $50,369 earn 51% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH · Close peer56% grad $51,509 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Friends UniversityWichita, KS · Close peer52% grad $52,113 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The College of IdahoCaldwell, ID · Close peer63% grad $48,473 earn 49% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Alma CollegeAlma, MI · Close peer63% grad $54,742 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesFayette, MO · Close peer52% grad $48,991 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Spring Arbor University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Spring Arbor University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note