Spring Arbor University was founded in 1873 by leaders of the Free Methodist Church. Also it is known as The Arbor. It is an evangelical Protestant university located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, United States. Firstly it was named as Spring Arbor Seminary. Later in 1923 the board of trustees decided to add a junior college to academy, and in 1929 the school became Spring Arbor Seminary and Junior College. When the school attained accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1960 the trustees again changed the name of the institution to Spring Arbor College. And finally on April 30, 2001, Spring Arbor College became Spring Arbor University.

The university offers more than 40 program majors and is recognized for its strong Liberal Arts curriculum and Christian atmosphere. The campus is home for most students from various Protestant denominations; over 42 denominations are represented on the campus. Around 86% of students are from Michigan, 13% are from 22 other states and 1% are international.

The University offers a wide assortment of degree-completion programs. Moreover, it offers a wide range of baccalaureate programs, and they are committed to graduate education through the master's degree. The master's degree curriculum at Spring Arbor University aims to develop excellent leaders with a firm, personal leadership, honest commitment to ethical practices and self analysis–which are the qualities sought after in today’s business world.

Spring Arbors University offers online programs. For graduate studies, SAUonline offers several online graduate degrees online. They are master’s degree in Communication, Nursing, Business Administration, Organizational Management and Spiritual Formation and Leadership. Online students are not left to fend for themselves as they struggle to learn in an isolated, online world. At SAUonline, students will be a part of a learning community that strives together to learn, grow and thrive.

Financial aid comes in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work study.