Alma College vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

Alma College is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Alma College vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Bethany 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 Bethany College than Alma College ($19,035 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 6.8% lower than at Alma College ($13,210 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethany College (about $12,787 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $36,765.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.8% higher at Alma College than at Bethany College (about $12,787 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $36,765.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 31.5% larger than aid received by Bethany College students ($41,618 vs. $31,646).

Alma College vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Bethany 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 Bethany College and Alma College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Bethany College has a higher acceptance rate (58.8%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Alma College vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Bethany 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College graduates have a $3,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($27,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Alma College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($279 vs. $319).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 56%)

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.