Alma College vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Alma College vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Madison College? 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 Madison Area Technical College than Alma College ($13,284 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 20.2% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($14,180 vs. $17,760).
• Alma College is 895.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $44,575 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 583% higher at Alma College than at Madison Area Technical College (about $42,297 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 608.8% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($41,618 vs. $5,872).

Alma College vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

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

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Alma College vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Madison College? 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).

• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($13,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College 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.