Alma College vs. CSE

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than CSE based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 871 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Saint Elizabeth University is in Morristown, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Elizabeth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Saint Elizabeth University 8:1.

Alma College vs. CSE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or CSE? 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 CSE ($22,094 vs. $23,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Elizabeth University are 3.7% lower than at Alma College ($13,652 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 34.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSE (about $12,811 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $36,741.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at Alma College than at Saint Elizabeth University (about $12,811 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $36,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Saint Elizabeth University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 39.9% larger than aid received by Saint Elizabeth University students ($41,618 vs. $29,755).

Alma College vs. CSE Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; CSE - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSE (3.12).
• CSE has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 7.6% at CSE.

Alma College vs. CSE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and CSE? 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 Saint Elizabeth University's (58%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than CSE graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Elizabeth University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSE graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSE students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 57%)

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.