Alma College vs. Michigan State

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

Alma College Michigan State
Location Alma, MI East Lansing, MI
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,260 50,023
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #240
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alma.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alma College Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $45,346 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $45,346 $41,778
Room & Board $12,624 $10,990
Avg Net Price $23,995 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $34,736 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

Alma College Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,372 53,341
Admitted 2,180 46,914
Acceptance Rate 64.7% 88%
Enrolled % 15.3% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/31
SAT Range 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Alma College Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Alma College Michigan State
Graduation Rate 67% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $279 $263

Diversity

Alma College Michigan State
% Men 47% 47%
% Women 53% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 67%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 13%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Alma College Michigan State
% In-State 90% 71%
% Out-of-State 6% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 1,260 students)

Alma College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Michigan State?

  • Alma College is 198.5% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $15,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.5% higher at Alma College than Michigan State University ($45,346.00 vs. $41,778.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Michigan State University than Alma College ($22,803 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 14.9% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,990 vs. $12,624)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Michigan State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 300% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($34,736 vs. $8,684)

Alma College vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 49 points higher than at Alma College (1110)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Alma College (24)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Alma College (3.5)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Alma College (64.7%)

Alma College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alma College or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and Alma College.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Alma College (77% vs. 67%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $11,700 more per year than Alma College graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $48,300)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $1,516 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($25,484 vs. $27,000)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($263 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

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