Alma College vs. SAU

Should I go to Alma College or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alma College or SAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alma College vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Alma College Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Alma College
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Overview

Alma College SAU
Location Alma, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,260 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alma.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alma College SAU
Tuition (In State) $45,346 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $45,346 $31,020
Room & Board $12,624 $10,652
Avg Net Price $23,995 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $34,736 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Alma College SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,372 2,312
Admitted 2,180 1,094
Acceptance Rate 64.7% 47.3%
Enrolled % 15.3% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Alma College SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

Alma College SAU
Graduation Rate 67% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

Alma College SAU
% Men 47% 23%
% Women 53% 77%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 77%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

Alma College SAU
% In-State 90% 83%
% Out-of-State 6% 13%

Campus

Alma College SAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 1,260 students)

Alma College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or SAU?

  • Alma College is 46.2% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.2% higher at Alma College than Spring Arbor University ($45,346.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than Alma College ($22,375 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 18.5% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,652 vs. $12,624)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 68% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($34,736 vs. $20,677)

Alma College vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or Alma College .

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 37 points higher than at SAU (1073)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at SAU (23)
  • 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 (64.7%) than SAU (47.3%)

Alma College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alma College or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and Alma College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Spring Arbor University (67% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $5,700 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $2,957 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($24,043 vs. $27,000)
  • SAU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans 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/