Alma College vs. Michigan

Comparable Facts

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

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); University of Michigan Ann Arbor is in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1.

Alma College vs. Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Michigan? 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 University of Michigan Ann Arbor than Alma College ($17,574 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 7.5% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($14,180 vs. $15,328).
• Alma College is 179.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $31,816 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Michigan than at Alma College (about $11,394 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $49,552.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 65.8% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students ($41,618 vs. $25,099).

Alma College vs. Michigan Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Michigan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Michigan Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than Michigan (15.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 47.3% at Michigan.

Alma College vs. Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Michigan? 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).

• University of Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Alma College's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than Alma College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,400 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $6,897 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($20,103 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($207 vs. $279).
• More Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alma College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

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.