Alma College vs. Lakeland University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Lakeland University in Plymouth, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lakeland University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,813 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Lakeland University is in Plymouth, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakeland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Lakeland University 12:1.

Alma College vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University ($22,094 vs. $24,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lakeland University are 14.4% lower than at Alma College ($12,140 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 48.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lakeland University (about $16,156 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $33,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at Alma College than at Lakeland University (about $16,156 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $33,396.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Lakeland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 69.5% larger than aid received by Lakeland University students ($41,618 vs. $24,559).

Alma College vs. Lakeland University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Lakeland University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Lakeland University (3.0).
• Lakeland University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 16.1% at Lakeland University.

Alma College vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University's (42%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Lakeland University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lakeland University graduates have a $1,542 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,458 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lakeland University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lakeland University 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.