Alma College vs. Paul Smith's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in Paul Smiths, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Paul Smith's College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 948 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is in Paul Smiths, NY (Distant Rural setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science 12:1.

Alma College vs. Paul Smith's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Paul Smith's 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 Paul Smith's College ($22,094 vs. $28,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 0.4% lower than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science ($14,180 vs. $14,236).
• Alma College is 50.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paul Smith's College (about $16,543 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $33,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at Alma College than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science (about $16,543 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $33,009.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 81.2% larger than aid received by Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science students ($41,618 vs. $22,973).

Alma College vs. Paul Smith's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Paul Smith's 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 Paul Smith's College and Alma College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Paul Smith's College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Paul Smith's College (2.8).
• Paul Smith's College has a higher acceptance rate (76.5%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 18.8% at Paul Smith's College.

Alma College vs. Paul Smith's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Paul Smith's 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 Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's (37%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Paul Smith's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Paul Smith's College 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 Paul Smith's College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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.