Alma College vs. Central State University

Comparable Facts

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

Central State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,708 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Central State University is in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Central State University 16:1.

Alma College vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Central State 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 Central State University than Alma College ($11,398 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 15.2% lower than at Alma College ($12,026 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 514.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central State University (about $41,494 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $8,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 392.7% higher at Alma College than at Central State University (about $39,494 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $10,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Central State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 123.1% larger than aid received by Central State University students ($41,618 vs. $18,654).

Alma College vs. Central State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral State University 770/950.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral State University 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Central State University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Central State University (2.8).
• Central State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 19.4% at Central State University.

Alma College vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Central State 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 Central State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Central State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Central State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $39,000).
• Among borrowers, Alma College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central State University graduates ($279 vs. $403).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 16%)

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.