Manchester University vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Manchester University in North Manchester, IN with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Manchester University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,276 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Manchester University is located in North Manchester, IN (Distant Town setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Manchester University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Manchester University 12:1; Alma College 14:1.

Manchester University vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Manchester University 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 Manchester University than Alma College ($19,425 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Manchester University are 11% lower than at Alma College ($12,625 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 33.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Manchester University (about $12,417 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $37,135.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at Alma College than at Manchester University (about $12,417 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $37,135.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Manchester University as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 35.9% larger than aid received by Manchester University students ($41,618 vs. $30,635).

Manchester University vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Manchester University 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 Manchester University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Manchester University - Test-free; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Manchester University (3.41).
• Manchester University has a higher acceptance rate (71.1%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Manchester University vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Manchester University vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Manchester University 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 Manchester University's (51%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Manchester University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College and Manchester University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Alma College and Manchester University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Manchester University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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.