Alma College vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Spring Arbor University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Alma College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Alma College ($21,067 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 19.3% lower than at Alma College ($11,440 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 45.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $15,538 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.7% higher at Alma College than at Spring Arbor University (about $15,538 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 74.3% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($41,618 vs. $23,877).

Alma College vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Alma College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 58%)

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.