Alma College vs. Carolina University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Carolina University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Carolina University based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 880 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Carolina University is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Midsize City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carolina University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Carolina University 17:1.

Alma College vs. Carolina University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Carolina 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 Carolina University than Alma College ($20,412 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carolina University are 12.6% lower than at Alma College ($12,400 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 181.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carolina University (about $31,977 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181.9% higher at Alma College than at Carolina University (about $31,977 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,575.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Carolina University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 248.4% larger than aid received by Carolina University students ($41,618 vs. $11,947).

Alma College vs. Carolina University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Carolina University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Carolina University (3.0).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than Carolina University (39.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 26.5% at Carolina University.

Alma College vs. Carolina University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Carolina 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).

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.