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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University CMU University of Puget Sound OC Comets Michigan State Pacific Whitman College| Alma College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Alma College | PLU | ||
| Location | Alma, MI | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,260 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #311 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | alma.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Alma College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $45,346 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $45,346 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,624 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,995 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $34,736 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Alma College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,372 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 2,180 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 64.7% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.3% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.5 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 27/30 | |||
| SAT Range | 1253/1423 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2024 |
Academics |
Alma College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Alma College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 67% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $48,300 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Alma College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 47% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 53% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 1% |
Students |
Alma College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 6% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Alma College | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,260 students)
Alma College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Alma College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 9.1% more expensive to attend than Alma College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $45,346.00)
- Out of state tuition is 9.1% higher at PLU than Alma College ($49,472.00 vs. $45,346.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alma College than PLU ($23,995 vs. $24,825)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 6.7% lower than costs at Alma College ($11,826 vs. $12,624)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 4.9% larger than aid received Alma College ($36,435 vs. $34,736)
Alma College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Alma College .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 7 points higher than at Alma College (1110)
- Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Alma College (24)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Alma College (3.5)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Alma College (64.7%)
Alma College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Alma College or PLU? 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 PLU and Alma College.
- The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (67% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $4,000 more per year than Alma College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,300)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU 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/