Alma College vs. CMU

Should I go to Alma College or Central Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alma College or CMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Alma College vs. Central Michigan University comparison
Alma College Central Michigan University College 3 College 4
Alma College Central Michigan University
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Overview

 Alma College CMU
Location Alma, MI Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,260 14,557
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alma.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Alma College CMU
Tuition (In State) $45,346 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $45,346 $13,200
Room & Board $12,624 $11,248
Avg Net Price $23,995 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $34,736 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

 Alma College CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,372 19,888
Admitted 2,180 15,701
Acceptance Rate 64.7% 78.9%
Enrolled % 15.3% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Alma College CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 Alma College CMU
Graduation Rate 67% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

 Alma College CMU
% Men 47% 40%
% Women 53% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 79%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

 Alma College CMU
% In-State 90% 90%
% Out-of-State 6% 9%

Campus

 Alma College CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 1,260 students)

Alma College vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or CMU?

  • Alma College is 243.5% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 243.5% higher at Alma College than Central Michigan University ($45,346.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Alma College ($15,605 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 12.2% lower than costs at Alma College ($11,248 vs. $12,624)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Central Michigan University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 207% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($34,736 vs. $11,314)

Alma College vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or CMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CMU or Alma College .

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 61 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Alma College (64.7%)

Alma College vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alma College or CMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CMU and Alma College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Central Michigan University (67% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $3,800 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $44,500)
  • Central Michigan University and Alma College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Central Michigan University and Alma College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/