Alma College
Alma College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Alma College at a Glance
Alma College is a private liberal arts college in Alma, Michigan, United States. It enrolls approximately 1,200 students and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Alma College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and offers bachelor's degrees in multiple disciplines as well as two master's degree programs. Its athletics teams, nicknamed the Scots, are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – Division III and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Associ…
1886
140 years old
$122M
US$121.6 million (2021)
1,159
83
125 acres
Identity
Is Alma College Worth It?
Alma College offers moderate value at $20,694/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,742, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Alma College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 103 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 54 | $18,378 | $68,303 |
| #5 | Madonna University | 49 | $17,755 | $59,058 |
| #6 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #23 | Alma College | 42 | $20,694 | $54,742 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Alma College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MI.
Best Programs at Alma College
The highest-earning program at Alma College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Alma College earns $34,000, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $34,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $26,250 in median debt vs. $26,250 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,694/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $26,250 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Alma, MI
- Student Body
- 1,148 students
- Admission Rate
- 57%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,694
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,742
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000