Alma College vs. Cleveland Institute of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Cleveland Institute of Music is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1.

Alma College vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Alma College than Cleveland Institute of Music ($22,094 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 14.6% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($14,180 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alma College (about $3,328 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $49,552.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Alma College (about $3,328 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $49,552.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Cleveland Institute of Music (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 33.4% larger than aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students ($41,618 vs. $31,191).

Alma College vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Cleveland Institute of Music? 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 Cleveland Institute of Music and Alma College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music.

Alma College vs. Cleveland Institute of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Cleveland Institute of Music? 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).

• The graduation rate at Alma College is the same as at Cleveland Institute of Music (67% vs. 67%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland Institute of Music and Alma College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

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.