Lesley University vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Alma College 14:1.

Lesley University vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University or Alma College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alma College than Lesley University ($22,094 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 28.8% lower than at Lesley University ($14,180 vs. $19,920).
• Alma College is 44.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $15,296 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at Alma College than at Lesley University (about $15,296 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 117.1% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($41,618 vs. $19,167).

Lesley University vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University or Alma College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Alma College and Lesley University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Lesley University vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University and Alma College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($251 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.