Alma College vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Oakland University 17:1.

Alma College vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than Alma College ($12,208 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 22.9% lower than at Alma College ($10,932 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 224.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oakland (about $34,290 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $15,262.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.7% higher at Alma College than at Oakland University (about $26,364 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Oakland University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 220.4% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($41,618 vs. $12,988).

Alma College vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOakland University 1030/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

Alma College vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.