Alma College vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Alma College is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Centra College 3:1.

Alma College vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centra College are 12.4% lower than at Alma College ($12,424 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 281.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $36,569 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 281.7% higher at Alma College than at Centra College (about $36,569 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Centra College (100% vs. 0%).

Alma College vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 0% at Centra College.

Alma College vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Centra 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).

• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Centra College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $14,958 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($12,042 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($124 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centra College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 66%)

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.