Alma College vs Northwood U
Alma College and Northwood University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Alma College, a liberal arts college, boasts a 70% acceptance rate, while Northwood University, known for its business and engineering programs, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 65%. Alma College's student body is predominantly female (58%), while Northwood University's student body is more evenly balanced, with 49% female and 51% male students. Both institutions offer a diverse range of majors, with Alma College excelling in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and Northwood University specializing in business, engineering, and health sciences. With graduation rates of 65% and 58% respectively, both Alma College and Northwood University are committed to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Alma College |
![]() Northwood University |
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Overview |
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Location | Alma, Michigan | Midland, Michigan |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 79.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 68.8% | 83.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 2,908 | 1,123 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,000 | 936 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 319 | 293 |
Yield rate | 16.0% | 31.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $54,879 | $47,100 |
Average net price | $24,302 | $23,080 |
Tuition | $43,602 | $29,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,682
Meal plan:
$5,456
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Room/dormitory:
$5,960
Meal plan:
$5,480
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $33,081 |
98.0%
Average amount $20,911 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
64.0%
Average amount $5,671 |
89.0%
Average amount $5,569 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $13,784 |
11.0%
Average amount $16,970 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,340
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
2,116
Men 59.6% Women 40.4% |
Graduate students |
13
Men 30.8% Women 69.2% |
306
Men 54.6% Women 45.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 9.5% | 17.4% |
International students | 2.9% | 2.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,304 | 916 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois Ohio Texas Indiana | Michigan Ohio Florida Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 62.8% | 61.6% |
Dropout rate | 37.2% | 36.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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