Columbia College vs. Alma College

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Alma College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Alma College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Roosevelt University DePaul CMU OC Comets Michigan State Huntington University GVSU Saginaw Valley State University Albion College Northern Illinois Emerson MIAD
Columbia College Chicago vs. Alma College comparison
Columbia College Chicago Alma College College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago Alma College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Columbia College Alma College
Location Chicago, IL Alma, MI
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 6,646 1,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu alma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia College Alma College
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $45,346
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $45,346
Room & Board $18,000 $12,624
Avg Net Price $28,387 $23,995
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $34,736
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Columbia College Alma College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 3,372
Admitted 7,298 2,180
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 64.7%
Enrolled % 22%Open 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Columbia College Alma College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 Columbia College Alma College
Graduation Rate 41% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

 Columbia College Alma College
% Men 40% 47%
% Women 60% 53%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 83%
% Black 15% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

 Columbia College Alma College
% In-State 57% 90%
% Out-of-State 40% 6%

Campus

 Columbia College Alma College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,260 students)

Columbia College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Alma College?

  • Alma College is 54.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.9% higher at Alma College than Columbia College Chicago ($45,346.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alma College than Columbia College ($23,995 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 42.6% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($12,624 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 92.8% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($34,736 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Alma College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Alma College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Alma College or Columbia College .

  • Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Columbia College (3.41)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Alma College (64.7%)

Columbia College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Alma College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Alma College and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Columbia College Chicago (67% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $11,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/