Alma College vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Alma College vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than Alma College ($14,416 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 0.5% lower than at Wayne State University ($14,180 vs. $14,252).
• Alma College is 226.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $34,362 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at Alma College than at Wayne State University (about $17,515 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 221.3% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($41,618 vs. $12,953).

Alma College vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Alma College vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Alma College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 38%)

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.