Alma College vs. WMU

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

Alma College WMU
Location Alma, MI Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,260 17,000
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #634
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alma.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alma College WMU
Tuition (In State) $45,346 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $45,346 $18,154
Room & Board $12,624 $11,102
Avg Net Price $23,995 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $34,736 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Alma College WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,372 20,501
Admitted 2,180 17,334
Acceptance Rate 64.7% 84.6%
Enrolled % 15.3% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27
SAT Range 990/1220
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 WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Alma College WMU
Graduation Rate 67% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $279 $275

Diversity

Alma College WMU
% Men 47% 47%
% Women 53% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 72%
% Black 4% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Alma College WMU
% In-State 90% 79%
% Out-of-State 6% 19%

Campus

Alma College WMU
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

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Alma College based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 1,260 students)

Alma College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or WMU?

  • Alma College is 212.2% more expensive to attend than WMU for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $14,523.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 149.8% higher at Alma College than Western Michigan University ($45,346.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than Alma College ($20,030 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 13.7% lower than costs at Alma College ($11,102 vs. $12,624)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alma College than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 409.8% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($34,736 vs. $6,813)

Alma College vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 80 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Alma College students have at the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at WMU (3.5)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Alma College (64.7%)

Alma College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alma College or WMU? 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 WMU and Alma College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Western Michigan University (67% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $600 more per year than Alma College graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $48,300)
  • Western Michigan University students graduate with a $367 lower median federal student loan debt than Alma College graduates. ($26,633 vs. $27,000)
  • WMU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Alma College graduates. ($275 vs. $279)
  • More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 54%)

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