Pacific Oaks College vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Oaks College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Oaks College 11:1; Alma College 14:1.

Pacific Oaks College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific Oaks College or Alma College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 26.1% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($14,180 vs. $19,185).
• Alma College is 52.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pacific Oaks College (about $17,032 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.4% higher at Alma College than at Pacific Oaks College (about $17,032 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Pacific Oaks College (100% vs. 0%).

Pacific Oaks College vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific Oaks College 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 Pacific Oaks College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific Oaks College - Test optional; Alma College - Test-free.
• Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (57%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Pacific Oaks College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific Oaks College 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).

• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have a $6,033 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($20,967 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.