Dean College vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Alma College 14:1.

Dean College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Alma College than Dean College ($22,094 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 28.6% lower than at Dean College ($14,180 vs. $19,864).
• Alma College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dean College (about $3,026 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $46,526.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Alma College than at Dean College (about $3,026 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $46,526.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dean College as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 26.3% larger than aid received by Dean College students ($41,618 vs. $32,958).

Dean College vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College 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 Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Alma College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Dean College has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Dean College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College 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 Dean College's (62%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,647 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($16,353 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($169 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)

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.