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PrivateRural

Spring Arbor University

SAU

Spring Arbor, Michigan 49283-9799

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitRuralSports culture

Known for business — close-knit campus

Spring Arbor University is a private institution in Spring Arbor with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1072, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 990 undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

60% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,732 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $20,899.

Established
1873
Motto
Fides, Vivens, Discens
Mascot
Cougar
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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37%Acceptance
1072SAT Avg
990Students
11:1Student:Faculty
60%Grad Rate
$51,732Earnings 10yr
$20,899Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate37.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1072

Reading & Writing
470595
Math
465570

ACT Score Range

Composite
1725

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$32,580
Room & Board$10,960
Books & Supplies$800
Total Cost of Attendance$43,178
Average Net Price$20,899
Median Debt at Graduation$26,375
Monthly Payment (10yr)$280

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,569
$30–48K$18,940
$48–75K$18,556
$75–110K$21,635
$110K+$23,328

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

49.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$24,724

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

5

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (81)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

74%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
990
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
35%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 71%
Black 7%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate59.9%
Freshman Retention73.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,592
10 Years$51,732

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Cougars

SoccerBasketball

History & Fun Facts

  • History Spring Arbor University developed in the late 20th century from a seminary founded in 1873 by leaders of the Free Methodist Church, particularly Edward Payson Hart.
  • First Spring Arbor Seminary was established as a private academy for elementary and secondary grades.
  • In 1923, the board of trustees voted to add a junior college to the academy.
  • In 1929, the school was renamed as Spring Arbor Seminary and Junior College.
  • Primary and intermediate classes were discontinued in 1930.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from MI state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Detroitpop. 640K
78 mi(135 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
155 mi(269 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
159 mi(276 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DTW Detroit61 mi
CLE Cleveland150 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare173 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA689 mi · ~19h 54m drive
New York, NY556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Hartford, CT611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
Providence, RI675 mi · ~19h 30m drive
Albany, NY551 mi · ~15h 55m drive
Syracuse, NY431 mi · ~12h 27m drive
Rochester, NY359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY293 mi · ~8h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA513 mi · ~14h 49m drive
Pittsburgh, PA266 mi · ~7h 41m drive
Harrisburg, PA420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
Newark, NJ547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Washington, DC456 mi · ~13h 10m drive
Baltimore, MD462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Atlanta, GA584 mi · ~16h 52m drive
Charlotte, NC522 mi · ~15h 5m drive
Raleigh, NC546 mi · ~15h 46m drive
Miami, FL1163 mi · ~33h 36m drive
Orlando, FL961 mi · ~27h 46m drive
Tampa, FL992 mi · ~28h 39m drive
Nashville, TN434 mi · ~12h 32m drive
New Orleans, LA901 mi · ~26h 2m drive
Richmond, VA496 mi · ~14h 20m drive
Chicago, IL159 mi · ~4h 36m drive
Detroit, MI78 mi · ~2h 15m drive
Minneapolis, MN476 mi · ~13h 45m drive
St. Louis, MO386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
Kansas City, MO567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
Indianapolis, IN188 mi · ~5h 26m drive
Columbus, OH175 mi · ~5h 3m drive
Cleveland, OH155 mi · ~4h 29m drive
Milwaukee, WI180 mi · ~5h 12m drive
Dallas, TX933 mi · ~26h 57m drive
Houston, TX1049 mi · ~30h 18m drive
Austin, TX1102 mi · ~31h 50m drive
San Antonio, TX1176 mi · ~33h 58m drive
Los Angeles, CA1902 mi · ~54h 57m drive
San Francisco, CA2011 mi · ~58h 6m drive
San Diego, CA1891 mi · ~54h 38m drive
Seattle, WA1867 mi · ~53h 56m drive
Portland, OR1895 mi · ~54h 45m drive
Denver, CO1077 mi · ~31h 7m drive
Phoenix, AZ1610 mi · ~46h 31m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1412 mi · ~40h 47m drive
Honolulu, HI4404 mi · ~127h 14m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Spring Arbor University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications