Alma College vs. USW

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than USW based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 1,130 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); University of the Southwest is in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; University of the Southwest 21:1.

Alma College vs. USW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or USW? 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 the Southwest than Alma College ($17,243 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 42.9% lower than at Alma College ($8,100 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 197.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $32,882 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 197.3% higher at Alma College than at University of the Southwest (about $32,882 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 298.8% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($41,618 vs. $10,436).

Alma College vs. USW Admissions comparison

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

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; USW - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.87 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at USW (2.63).

Alma College vs. USW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and USW? 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 University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than USW graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 47%)

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.