Alma College vs. Cornerstone University

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

Alma College Cornerstone University
Location Alma, MI Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,260 1,781
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #867
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alma.edu cornerstone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alma College Cornerstone University
Tuition (In State) $45,346 $27,580
Tuition (Out of State) $45,346 $27,580
Room & Board $12,624 $10,520
Avg Net Price $23,995 $20,935
Avg Grant Aid $34,736 $18,502
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Alma College Cornerstone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,372 1,926
Admitted 2,180 1,575
Acceptance Rate 64.7% 81.8%
Enrolled % 15.3% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25
SAT Range 970/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Alma College Cornerstone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

Alma College Cornerstone University
Graduation Rate 67% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Alma College Cornerstone University
% Men 47% 40%
% Women 53% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 78%
% Black 4% 13%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Alma College Cornerstone University
% In-State 90% 80%
% Out-of-State 6% 14%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Cornerstone University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,781 students vs. 1,260 students)

Alma College vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Cornerstone University?

  • Alma College is 64.4% more expensive to attend than Cornerstone University for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $27,580.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.4% higher at Alma College than Cornerstone University ($45,346.00 vs. $27,580.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornerstone University than Alma College ($20,935 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 20% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,520 vs. $12,624)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Alma College as Cornerstone University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 87.7% larger than aid received Cornerstone University ($34,736 vs. $18,502)

Alma College vs. Cornerstone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 77 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1033)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Cornerstone University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28)
  • Cornerstone University has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Alma College (64.7%)

Alma College vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alma College or Cornerstone University? 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 Cornerstone University and Alma College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Cornerstone University (67% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $9,500 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $38,800)
  • Cornerstone University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Cornerstone University 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 Cornerstone University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

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