Spring Arbor University Online

Employers respect SAU’s online degrees because an accredited university confers them. SAU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation has been conferred to SAU since 1963.

Accreditation is important because it shows a school has successfully undergone an extensive review to ensure academic quality and fiscal responsibility. Agencies, such as the HLC, repeat this process periodically to ensure a school keeps its promises to students. Importantly, all online schools featured on OnlineU are accredited.

SAU is known for integrating faith into education because it considers itself “invested in the totality of an educated person,” including their personal and spiritual fulfillment. Therefore, the establishment expects students to live a Christ-centered life. Nursing students also learn how to meet the spiritual needs of patients as part of the care delivery system through its program curriculum. 

SAU is also known for its 7-1-7 model within its nursing programs. Students take one class a week for seven weeks, break for a week, and then begin the next seven-week class. Courses are delivered asynchronously so students can access coursework as their schedules allow. This model helps students continue to work traditional full-time hours, which can help eliminate stress and prevent feeling overwhelmed.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, SAU’s online bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN to BSN) provides the highest earnings for graduates at a median annual salary of approximately $75,100. 

OnlineU’s proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alumni earn compared to graduates with the same degree across the country. Out of 100 points, SAU has a salary score of 56 for its bachelor’s degrees and 47 for its master’s degrees.

College Scorecard reports that SAU accepts 63% of its undergraduate applicants, which is around the average rate. SAU also requires students to take entrance exams. Student combined SAT scores average between 980 and 119, and ACT scores average between 20 and 27. SAU also accepts Classic Learning Test scores of 66 or higher.  

SAU’s GPA requirements are program-based. For example, first-year and transfer students interested in its BSN program must have a 2.67 GPA or higher to be considered for enrollment. Graduate students interested in the RN to MSN program must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

SAU’s admission requirements are comparable to any college or university. However, each program may have additional requirements. For example, general admission requirements for SAU undergraduate nursing degrees require submitting the following:

• Online application 
• $30 application fee
• Official high school or GED transcripts
• Official college transcripts if transferring credits
• Record of prerequisite courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology, with a minimum grade of B-
• Military transcripts, if applicable

Applying to an online college always requires some planning to ensure you have enough time to get what you need and receive help along the way. An admission advisor can help you through the process any answer any questions.