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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CMU Albion College OC Comets Michigan State GVSU Saginaw Valley State University Oakland Kalamazoo College Cornerstone University Olivet Nazarene University Michigan Ferris State University
Alma College vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Alma College Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Alma College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Alma College SAU
Location Alma, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Distant Town Small Suburban
Enrollment 1,273 2,390
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #553
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) $47,160 $31,940
Tuition (Out of State) $47,160 $31,940
Room & Board $13,128 $10,960
Avg Net Price $24,862 $21,720
Avg Grant Aid $36,447 $21,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Alma College SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,975 3,145
Admitted 2,610 1,174
Acceptance Rate 65.7% 37.3%
Enrolled % 13.3% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 17/25
SAT Range 935/1165
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 11:1
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 1% 7%
% Women 2% 48%
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% 82%
% Out-of-State 6% 15%

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 (2,390 students vs. 1,273 students)

Alma College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or SAU?

  • Alma College is 47.7% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($47,160.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.7% higher at Alma College than Spring Arbor University ($47,160.00 vs. $31,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than Alma College ($21,720 vs. $24,862)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 19.8% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,960 vs. $13,128)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Alma College as Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 69.3% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($36,447 vs. $21,522)

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 (65.7%) than SAU (37.3%)

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/