Alma College vs. Beacon College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Beacon College in Leesburg, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Beacon College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 531 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Beacon College is in Leesburg, FL (Small Suburban setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Beacon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Beacon College 12:1.

Alma College vs. Beacon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Beacon College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alma College than Beacon College ($22,094 vs. $46,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 9.4% lower than at Beacon College ($14,180 vs. $15,658).
• Beacon College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alma College (about $2,128 more per year; $51,680.00 vs. $49,552.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Beacon College than at Alma College (about $2,128 more per year; $51,680.00 vs. $49,552.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Beacon College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 73.5% larger than aid received by Beacon College students ($41,618 vs. $23,988).

Alma College vs. Beacon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Beacon College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Beacon College and Alma College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Beacon College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Beacon College (3.2).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than Beacon College (43.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 38.6% at Beacon College.

Alma College vs. Beacon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Beacon College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Beacon College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Alma College's (67%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Beacon College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Beacon College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Beacon College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.