EIU vs. Alma College

Should I go to Eastern Illinois University or Alma College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if EIU 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.
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Eastern Illinois University vs. Alma College comparison
Eastern Illinois University Alma College College 3 College 4
Eastern Illinois University Alma College
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Overview

 EIU Alma College
Location Charleston, IL Alma, MI
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 8,857 1,260
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #672
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eiu.edu alma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 EIU Alma College
Tuition (In State) $9,709 $45,346
Tuition (Out of State) $12,136 $45,346
Room & Board $10,812 $12,624
Avg Net Price $13,380 $23,995
Avg Grant Aid $11,773 $34,736
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 EIU Alma College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,584 3,372
Admitted 7,873 2,180
Acceptance Rate 68% 64.7%
Enrolled % 11.1% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 900/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

 EIU Alma College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 EIU Alma College
Graduation Rate 59% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,500 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,650 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $244 $279

Diversity

 EIU Alma College
% Men 42% 47%
% Women 58% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 83%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

 EIU Alma College
% In-State 91% 90%
% Out-of-State 7% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 1,260 students)

EIU vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or Alma College?

  • Alma College is 367.1% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $9,709.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 273.6% higher at Alma College than Eastern Illinois University ($45,346.00 vs. $12,136.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than Alma College ($13,380 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 16.8% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,812 vs. $12,624)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University as Alma College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 195% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($34,736 vs. $11,773)

EIU vs. Alma College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 100 points higher than at EIU (1010)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at EIU (22)
  • 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 (68%) than Alma College (64.7%)

EIU vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, EIU 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 EIU.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Eastern Illinois University (67% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $4,800 more per year than EIU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $43,500)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($23,650 vs. $27,000)
  • EIU graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans 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/