Spelman College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Spelman College is a private university in Atlanta, Georgia, serving roughly 3,414 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 24.87% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $59,993 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $31,556
- 2024 Average Net Price: $38,967 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 24.87% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 3,414 77.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 78.46%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 20.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 3.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 69.5%
- Average SAT Score: 1220
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,649
- Applicants (IPEDS): 10,610
- Room & Board: $18,091 annual estimate
Spelman College: what the data shows
Common questions about Spelman College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Spelman College?
Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (ZIP 30314-4399).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Spelman College public or private?
Spelman College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Spelman College cost?
Published tuition: $31,556.
Average net price after aid: $38,967.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $32,923 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $34,108 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $36,602 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $38,640 |
| $110,001+ | $44,529 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $126,224.
How hard is it to get into Spelman College?
Admission rate: 24.87%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1220.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Spelman College?
Total enrollment: 3,414 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,649 students.
About 78% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Spelman College?
150%-time completion rate: 78.46%.
First-year retention: 94.1%.
What do graduates of Spelman College earn?
Median earnings: $45,676 six years after entry; $59,993 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
27.83% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Spelman College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Project Management (231 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (134 completions)
- Organizational Leadership (109 completions)
- Psychology, General (89 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (62 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (61 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (48 completions)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (34 completions)
- International/Globalization Studies (31 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (22 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Spelman College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 24.87%; completion rate 78.46%; median earnings $59,993 at 10 years; net price $38,967. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$31,556
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Spelman College was $31,556.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$38,967
2024 Value
In 2024 Spelman College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $38,967.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$155,868 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$38,967 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$126,224 4-Year Tuition
$18,091 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$51,147 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$204,588 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Spelman College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
27.83% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
48.14% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Spelman College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Spelman College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $24,634 | $24,634 | $31,923 |
| 2014 | $25,496 | $25,496 | $34,308 |
| 2015 | $26,388 | $26,388 | $34,232 |
| 2016 | $27,314 | $27,314 | $36,362 |
| 2017 | $28,181 | $28,181 | $40,440 |
| 2018 | $29,064 | $29,064 | $40,840 |
| 2019 | $29,972 | $29,972 | $43,843 |
| 2020 | $29,972 | $29,972 | $44,833 |
| 2021 | $28,181 | $28,181 | $29,102 |
| 2022 | $28,885 | $28,885 | $38,319 |
| 2023 | $30,058 | $30,058 | $36,828 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
24.87% Acceptance Rate
10,610 Total Applicants
3,617 Students Admitted
727 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.10% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1220
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.45
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Spelman College reported total enrollment of about 3,414 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 5% male and 95% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Black or African American (85.6%), White (5.1%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (2.8%). About 27.83% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 20.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
77.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Spelman College in 2024 is 3,414 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,649 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
94.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Black or African American at 85.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
69.53% 100% Completion Time
78.46% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 69.53% of students graduating from Spelman College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Project Management: 26% male / 74% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 19% male / 81% female
- Organizational Leadership: 16% male / 84% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Black or African American.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Spelman College.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$59,993 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
41.67% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
284.90% Return on Investment
4.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Spelman College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 39 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Project Management: 231 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 134 completions
3. Organizational Leadership: 109 completions
4. Psychology, General: 89 completions
5. Political Science and Government, General: 62 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 61 completions
7. Health Professions and Related Programs: 48 completions
8. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 34 completions
9. International/Globalization Studies: 31 completions
Most popular programs at Spelman College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Spelman College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Spelman College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 69.5%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,558
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $15,850
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Spelman College is a private non-profit institution located in Atlanta, GA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Project Management, Business Administration and Management, General, Organizational Leadership. Enrollment is approximately 3,414 students. Student body composition includes Black or African American (85.6%), White (5.1%), Race/ethnicity unknown (2.8%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 24.87%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1220. The 150%-time completion rate is 78.46%. Approximately 27.83% of students receive Pell Grants. About 20.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Atlanta, GA 30314-4399
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Spelman College provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Spelman College located?
Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA.
What is Spelman College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Spelman College is 24.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 10,610 applicants and 3,617 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Spelman College cost?
Reported tuition is $31,556 and average net price is $38,967 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,091 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Spelman College?
Spelman College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,649 students, Black or African American (85.6%), White (5.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Spelman College?
About 20.7% of students at Spelman College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Spelman College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Spelman College reports midpoint SAT about 1220.
What do graduates of Spelman College earn?
Median earnings are $45,676 six years after entry and $59,993 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Spelman College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 78.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Spelman College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is Spelman College public or private?
Spelman College is a private nonprofit institution located in Atlanta, GA.
Is Spelman College an HBCU?
Yes. Spelman College is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is Spelman College a tribal college?
No. Spelman College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Georgia college costs
- Georgia colleges by ROI
- Atlanta, Georgia city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Georgia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.