At $20,899/yr net price, Spring Arbor University graduates earn $51,732/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,732/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,899 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,596 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,732/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,732/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,375 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,569/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,940/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,556/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,635/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,328/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $72,790 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $53,358 | $26,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,673 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Master | $44,092 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $37,424 | $28,360 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $29,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $27,125 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,119 | $25,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
59.9% of students at Spring Arbor University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Spring Arbor University gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns about what you'd expect from a mid-tier private school, and median debt stays close to one year's earnings, which is a manageable ratio. But the spread between programs here is wide enough that the "median" hides two very different outcomes.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays nearly $20,000 more per year than business, the next program down, and carries the lowest debt on the list. If you graduate from nursing at Spring Arbor, your degree pays for itself quickly, and Michigan's hospital demand backs that up. Business and accounting land in solid middle ground, both clearing the school-wide median.
The two education programs are where the math turns against you. Teacher education graduates earn under $38,000 while carrying the highest debt of any program listed, over $28,000. You take on the most debt for the smallest paycheck. Michigan teacher salaries won't rescue that gap early in your career, so go in knowing the return is thin.
The main risk is the 59.9% graduation rate and 73.6% retention. Four in ten students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, none of the earnings figures apply to you. That's the biggest financial danger here.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay the least, and the tiers rise fairly gently up to the top bracket. The jump above $75,000 in income is where cost climbs most, so middle-income families see less discount than you might hope.
Spring Arbor fits you if you're heading into nursing or business. If you're set on teaching, run the debt numbers hard before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spring Arbor University worth the cost?
Spring Arbor University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Nursing programs lead to strong earnings at $72,790, but liberal arts graduates earn only $44,092 against $26,375 in median debt.
What are the best paying majors at Spring Arbor University?
Nursing programs at Spring Arbor University offer the strongest ROI with graduates earning $72,790 annually. Business administration graduates earn $53,358, while education majors earn just $37,424.
How much debt do Spring Arbor University graduates have?
Spring Arbor University graduates carry a median debt of $26,375. With average earnings of $51,732 ten years after graduation, this creates a manageable debt-to-income ratio for most programs.
Does Spring Arbor University have good job placement rates?
Spring Arbor University has a 59.90% graduation rate, which is below the national average. The school's career outcomes vary significantly by program, with nursing and business showing stronger employment prospects than liberal arts.