Spalding vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spalding University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Alma College 14:1.

Spalding vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding 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 Spalding ($22,094 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 31.5% lower than at Alma College ($9,710 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 69.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $20,352 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at Alma College than at Spalding University (about $20,352 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 114.2% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($41,618 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding 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 Spalding.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Alma College (3.5).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Spalding vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding 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 Spalding University's (42%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Spalding graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 44%)

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.