Alma College vs. Shawnee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shawnee State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Shawnee State University 12:1.

Alma College vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Shawnee 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 Shawnee State University than Alma College ($13,996 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shawnee State University are 11.8% lower than at Alma College ($12,502 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 366.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $38,926 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 185.5% higher at Alma College than at Shawnee State University (about $32,194 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Shawnee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 432.2% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($41,618 vs. $7,820).

Alma College vs. Shawnee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Shawnee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Shawnee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Shawnee State University (3.3).

Alma College vs. Shawnee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Shawnee 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 Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $3,288 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($23,712 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 36%)

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.