Alma College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Alma College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or WMU? 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 Western Michigan University than Alma College ($17,331 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 14.1% lower than at Alma College ($12,174 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 224.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $34,300 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.3% higher at Alma College than at Western Michigan University (about $30,518 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 276.7% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($41,618 vs. $11,048).

Alma College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at WMU (3.5).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Alma College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and WMU? 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 Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Alma College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 54%)

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.