Alma College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,728 students vs. 1,197 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); West Virginia University at Parkersburg is in Parkersburg, WV (Small Suburban setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; West Virginia University at Parkersburg 17:1.

Alma College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg than Alma College ($1,948 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 2.5% lower than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg ($14,180 vs. $14,544).
• Alma College is 974.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $44,940 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $4,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 443.1% higher at Alma College than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (about $40,428 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $9,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 457% larger than aid received by West Virginia University at Parkersburg students ($41,618 vs. $7,472).

Alma College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Alma College.

• West Virginia University at Parkersburg reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; West Virginia University at Parkersburg - Open admission.

Alma College vs. West Virginia University at Parkersburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and West Virginia University at Parkersburg? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than West Virginia University at Parkersburg's (31%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have a $14,969 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($12,031 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, West Virginia University at Parkersburg graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($124 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University at Parkersburg students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 33%)

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.