Alma College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Alma College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State ($22,094 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 11.4% lower than at Alma College ($12,564 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 201.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $33,094 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at Alma College than at Michigan State University (about $5,710 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 326.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($41,618 vs. $9,750).

Alma College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMichigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMichigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Alma College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Michigan State? 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Alma College's (67%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Alma College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State 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 Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

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.