Alma College vs. Marian University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Marian University in Fond Du Lac, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marian University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,246 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Marian University is in Fond Du Lac, WI (Small City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Marian University 11:1.

Alma College vs. Marian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Marian 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 Marian University ($22,094 vs. $22,697).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 30.5% lower than at Alma College ($9,849 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 40.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marian University (about $14,374 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $35,178.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.9% higher at Alma College than at Marian University (about $14,374 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $35,178.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Marian University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 90.9% larger than aid received by Marian University students ($41,618 vs. $21,805).

Alma College vs. Marian University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarian University 800/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarian University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Marian University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Marian University (3.16).
• Marian University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 18% at Marian University.

Alma College vs. Marian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Marian 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 Marian University's (52%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Marian University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marian University and Alma College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Marian University and Alma College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

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.