Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College

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

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
Location Chicago, IL Alma, MI
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 5,756 1,260
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu alma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $45,346
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $45,346
Room & Board $10,742 $12,624
Avg Net Price $14,262 $23,995
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $34,736
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 100%

Admission

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 3,372
Admitted 2,886 2,180
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 64.7%
Enrolled % 17.9% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
Graduation Rate 23% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $149 $279

Diversity

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
% Men 39% 47%
% Women 61% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 33% 83%
% Black 10% 4%
% Hispanic 37% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

 Northeastern Illinois University Alma College
% In-State 97% 90%
% Out-of-State 2% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 1,260 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or Alma College?

  • Alma College is 349.4% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 124.7% higher at Alma College than Northeastern Illinois University ($45,346.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Alma College ($14,262 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 17.5% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,742 vs. $12,624)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Northeastern Illinois University (100% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 129.4% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($34,736 vs. $15,143)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 240 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (64.7%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (67% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $8,300 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $12,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($14,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $130 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($149 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 56%)

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