GSU vs. Alma College

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

 GSU Alma College
Location University Park, IL Alma, MI
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 4,427 1,260
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website govst.edu alma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GSU Alma College
Tuition (In State) $7,512 $45,346
Tuition (Out of State) $15,024 $45,346
Room & Board $11,000 $12,624
Avg Net Price $9,833 $23,995
Avg Grant Aid $11,987 $34,736
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 GSU Alma College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,865 3,372
Admitted 1,072 2,180
Acceptance Rate 57.5% 64.7%
Enrolled % 29.5% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.5
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 830/1060
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

 GSU Alma College
Graduation Rate - 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 48% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,250 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $178 $279

Diversity

 GSU Alma College
% Men 36% 47%
% Women 64% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 36% 83%
% Black 38% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 4%

Students

 GSU Alma College
% In-State 95% 90%
% Out-of-State 3% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Governors State University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (4,427 students vs. 1,260 students)

GSU vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU or Alma College?

  • Alma College is 503.6% more expensive to attend than GSU for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $7,512.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 201.8% higher at Alma College than Governors State University ($45,346.00 vs. $15,024.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Governors State University than Alma College ($9,833 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 14.8% lower than costs at Alma College ($11,000 vs. $12,624)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Governors State University as Alma College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 189.8% larger than aid received Governors State University ($34,736 vs. $11,987)

GSU vs. Alma College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 199 points higher than at GSU (911)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at GSU (19)
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Alma College (3.5)
  • Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (64.7%) than GSU (57.5%)

GSU vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GSU 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 GSU.

  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $5,700 more per year than GSU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $42,600)
  • Governors State University students graduate with a $9,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($17,250 vs. $27,000)
  • GSU graduates are paying $101 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($178 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 48%)

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