Alma College vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Michigan University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

Alma College vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan University than Alma College ($15,707 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Michigan University are 6.4% lower than at Alma College ($13,274 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 247.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $35,275 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.6% higher at Alma College than at Northern Michigan University (about $29,779 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Northern Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 246.5% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($41,618 vs. $12,012).

Alma College vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• Northern Michigan University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 15.3% at Northern Michigan University.

Alma College vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $4,708 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($22,292 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 56%)

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.