North Central College vs. Alma College

Should I go to North Central College or Alma College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central College 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Elmhurst College Loyola Lewis University Benedictine University Bradley Augustana CMU UIC OC Comets Carthage Lake Forest College Michigan State
North Central College vs. Alma College comparison
North Central College Alma College College 3 College 4
North Central College Alma College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

North Central College Alma College
Location Naperville, IL Alma, MI
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,695 1,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #340
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentralcollege.edu alma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central College Alma College
Tuition (In State) $42,866 $45,346
Tuition (Out of State) $42,866 $45,346
Room & Board $11,998 $12,624
Avg Net Price $25,285 $23,995
Avg Grant Aid $30,776 $34,736
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

North Central College Alma College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,099 3,372
Admitted 3,104 2,180
Acceptance Rate 60.9% 64.7%
Enrolled % 15.6% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 22/28
SAT Range 1020/1240
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 15, 2024

Academics

North Central College Alma College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

North Central College Alma College
Graduation Rate 64% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

North Central College Alma College
% Men 47% 47%
% Women 53% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 83%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

North Central College Alma College
% In-State 85% 90%
% Out-of-State 11% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • North Central College is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,695 students vs. 1,260 students)

North Central College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or Alma College?

  • Alma College is 5.8% more expensive to attend than North Central College for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $42,866.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.8% higher at Alma College than North Central College ($45,346.00 vs. $42,866.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alma College than North Central College ($23,995 vs. $25,285)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 5.2% lower than costs at Alma College ($11,998 vs. $12,624)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at North Central College as Alma College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 12.9% larger than aid received North Central College ($34,736 vs. $30,776)

North Central College vs. Alma College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Central College (1125) is 15 points higher than at Alma College (1110)
  • Incoming North Central College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Alma College (24)
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Alma College (3.5)
  • Alma College has a higher acceptance rate (64.7%) than North Central College (60.9%)

North Central College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central College 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 North Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than North Central College (67% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from North Central College earn on average $600 more per year than Alma College graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $48,300)
  • North Central College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • North Central College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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