Alma College vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Alma College vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Alma College ($11,546 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 13% lower than at Alma College ($12,340 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 283.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $36,622 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.7% higher at Alma College than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $19,102 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 208% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($41,618 vs. $13,512).

Alma College vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Alma College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• Saginaw Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.1%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Alma College vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saginaw Valley State University and Alma College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saginaw Valley State University and Alma College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 48%)

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.