Alma College vs. Ferris State University

Should I go to Alma College or Ferris State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alma College or Ferris State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alma College vs. Ferris State University comparison
Alma College Ferris State University College 3 College 4
Alma College Ferris State University
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Overview

Alma College Ferris State University
Location Alma, MI Big Rapids, MI
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,273 9,918
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alma.edu ferris.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alma College Ferris State University
Tuition (In State) $47,160 $13,524
Tuition (Out of State) $47,160 $13,524
Room & Board $13,128 $10,660
Avg Net Price $24,862 $13,154
Avg Grant Aid $36,447 $12,823
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Alma College Ferris State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,975 9,548
Admitted 2,610 7,694
Acceptance Rate 65.7% 80.6%
Enrolled % 13.3% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/26
SAT Range 890/1120
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Alma College Ferris State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Engineering Technology (15%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Alma College Ferris State University
Graduation Rate 67% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,179
Median Loan Payment $279 $250

Diversity

Alma College Ferris State University
% Men 1% 3%
% Women 2% 6%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 79%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Alma College Ferris State University
% In-State 90% 93%
% Out-of-State 6% 5%

Campus

Alma College Ferris State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ferris State University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (9,918 students vs. 1,273 students)

Alma College vs. Ferris State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Ferris State University?

  • Alma College is 248.7% more expensive to attend than Ferris State University for in-state tuition ($47,160.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 248.7% higher at Alma College than Ferris State University ($47,160.00 vs. $13,524.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ferris State University than Alma College ($13,154 vs. $24,862)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferris State University are 23.2% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,660 vs. $13,128)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Ferris State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 184.2% larger than aid received Ferris State University ($36,447 vs. $12,823)

Alma College vs. Ferris State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Ferris State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ferris State University or Alma College .

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 101 points higher than at Ferris State University (1009)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Ferris State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Ferris State University (3.3)
  • Ferris State University has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Alma College (65.7%)

Alma College vs. Ferris State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alma College or Ferris State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Ferris State University and Alma College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Ferris State University (67% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $1,300 more per year than Ferris State University graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $47,000)
  • Ferris State University students graduate with a $2,821 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($24,179 vs. $27,000)
  • Ferris State University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($250 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferris State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/