Alma College vs. Bluffton University

Comparable Facts

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

Alma College is larger than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 646 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Bluffton University is in Bluffton, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluffton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Bluffton University 11:1.

Alma College vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Bluffton University? 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 Bluffton University than Alma College ($20,429 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 13.8% lower than at Alma College ($12,220 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 32.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluffton University (about $12,190 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $37,362.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.6% higher at Alma College than at Bluffton University (about $12,190 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $37,362.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Bluffton University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Bluffton University students ($41,618 vs. $31,481).

Alma College vs. Bluffton University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Bluffton University? 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 Bluffton University and Alma College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluffton University 860/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBluffton University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Bluffton University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Bluffton University (3.26).
• Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (67.2%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 9% at Bluffton University.

Alma College vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Bluffton University? 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 Bluffton University's (59%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Bluffton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluffton University and Alma College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bluffton University and Alma College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluffton University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 67%)

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.