Alma College vs. JCSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

Alma College vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or JCSU? 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 Johnson C Smith University than Alma College ($19,705 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 39.4% lower than at Alma College ($8,600 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 132.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCSU (about $28,252 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.6% higher at Alma College than at Johnson C Smith University (about $28,252 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Johnson C Smith University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 173.1% larger than aid received by Johnson C Smith University students ($41,618 vs. $15,238).

Alma College vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJohnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; JCSU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 1.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 12.8% at JCSU.

Alma College vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and JCSU? 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 Johnson C Smith University's (37%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College graduates have a $5,050 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, Alma College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($279 vs. $331).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 26%)

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.