Alma College vs. College of Saint Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); College of Saint Mary is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; College of Saint Mary 8:1.

Alma College vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary than Alma College ($17,078 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 35.9% lower than at Alma College ($9,084 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 102.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of Saint Mary (about $25,042 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.2% higher at Alma College than at College of Saint Mary (about $25,042 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at College of Saint Mary (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 120.8% larger than aid received by College of Saint Mary students ($41,618 vs. $18,847).

Alma College vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or College of Saint Mary? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of Saint Mary and Alma College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; College of Saint Mary - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Alma College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at College of Saint Mary (3.4).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than College of Saint Mary (44.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 35.3% at College of Saint Mary.

Alma College vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and College of Saint Mary? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than College of Saint Mary's (30%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than College of Saint Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of Saint Mary students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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.