Alma College vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alma College vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than Alma College ($16,230 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 6.1% lower than at Cleveland State University ($14,180 vs. $15,104).
• Alma College is 281.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $36,564 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.7% higher at Alma College than at Cleveland State University (about $31,042 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 324.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($41,618 vs. $9,795).

Alma College vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Cleveland State? 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 State and Alma College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Alma College vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 47%)

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.