Alma College vs. Kent State University at Salem

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Salem is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,633 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Kent State University at Salem is in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Kent State University at Salem 26:1.

Alma College vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem than Alma College ($13,301 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 16.7% lower than at Alma College ($11,810 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 561.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $42,060 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 185.7% higher at Alma College than at Kent State University at Salem (about $32,210 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Kent State University at Salem (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 710.5% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($41,618 vs. $5,135).

Alma College vs. Kent State University at Salem Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem and Alma College.

• Kent State University at Salem reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Kent State University at Salem - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27).

Alma College vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have a $1,175 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,825 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($267 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 46%)

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.