CSU vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

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

Chicago State University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Alma College 14:1.

CSU vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Alma College? 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 Chicago State University than Alma College ($10,441 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 18.5% lower than at Alma College ($11,550 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 288.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $36,798 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 288.5% higher at Alma College than at Chicago State University (about $36,798 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 128.7% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($41,618 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

CSU vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Alma College? 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 Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Alma College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 25%)

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.