Alma College vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Messenger College 8:1.

Alma College vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Messenger 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 Alma College than Messenger College ($22,094 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messenger College are 6.2% lower than at Alma College ($13,305 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 326.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messenger College (about $37,932 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 326.4% higher at Alma College than at Messenger College (about $37,932 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Messenger College (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 956.3% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($41,618 vs. $3,940).

Alma College vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

Alma College vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Messenger 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 40%)

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.