Paine College vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Paine College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College 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 Paine College than Alma College ($15,935 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 47% lower than at Alma College ($7,512 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 239.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $34,956 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 239.5% higher at Alma College than at Paine College (about $34,956 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 242.7% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($41,618 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine 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 Paine College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Alma College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Paine College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alma College graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($27,000 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Alma College graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($279 vs. $369).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 15%)

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.