EIU vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Alma College 14:1.

EIU vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than Alma College ($13,787 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 13.4% lower than at Alma College ($12,282 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 262.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $35,873 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.6% higher at Alma College than at Eastern Illinois University (about $33,335 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 221.1% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($41,618 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at EIU (3.39).
• EIU has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

EIU vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University's (59%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $3,350 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($23,650 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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.