Alma College

Diverse Four-Year Degrees Backed by the Alma Commitment

alma tuitionAlma College appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest.

Each 14-week term, Alma College boasts 80 percent retention in 42 bachelor’s majors and 55 minors centered on robust experiential learning at a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. For instance, the 136-credit B.S. in Biotechnology utilizes the Dow Science Center to survey medical advancements with the Aspire STEM project. The B.A. in Early Childhood Education follows a 136-credit, TEAC-accredited curriculum for Birth-Grade 3 teaching experience and Kappa Delta Pi membership. Chaired by Prof. Robert Vivian, the B.A. in English hones communication skills by publishing Pine River Anthology and The Almanian. Near MidMichigan Health, the 136-credit B.S. in Health Care Administration integrates seven-week practica into courses like Health Informatics and Long-Term Care Management. The B.F.A in Theatre spans 146 credits and four productions at the 500-seat Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center yearly for creative expression. Other Alma degrees include the B.A. in New Media Studies, B.S. in Nursing, B.S. in Finance, B.S. in Environmental Studies, B.A. in Music, B.A. in Religious Studies, B.S. in Psychology, and B.F.A. in Arts Management.

About Alma College

Alma College originated on October 26, 1886 when lumber mogul Ammi W. Wright donated $50,000 to the Presbyterian Synod of Michigan. The next April, Alma College was chartered by the State Legislature for coed religious training. By September 1887, Rev. George Hunting welcomed an inaugural class of 35 to Old Main. In 1938, Alma College famously created the United States’ second Scottish marching band honoring its heritage. Destroyed by fire in 1969, Alma College rebuilt its current 128-acre, 27-building Lower Peninsula campus in Ralph Rapson’s hometown. In 2006, Alma received the NCAA Division III Gagliardi Trophy. Since 2003, the “College of Distinction” has produced 24 Fulbright Scholars too. Endowed for $109.9 million, Alma College now employs 103 full-time professors teaching 1,450 Scots from 30 states with nearly 100 clubs like Model United Nations.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Alma the 143rd best national liberal arts college and 89th top high school counselor pick. On Niche, Alma was America’s 153rd best Christian university, 227th top teachers college, 261st best Greek life campus, and 364th best small school. Times Higher Education placed Alma College 255th overall. Forbes declared Alma the 363rd best private choice with the 138th top Midwest degrees. Money magazine recorded a mean beginning salary of $45,700 for the 641st best investment. WalletHub honored Alma College for the 162nd best faculty resources and 316th top educational outcomes. College Factual noticed Alma for the country’s 131st best biology value, 147th highest-paid international business grads, and 85th most popular health sciences degree. Washington Monthly crowned Alma the 95th best liberal arts college too.

Alma College Accreditation Details

On November 11, 2019, Alma College has scheduled a comprehensive evaluation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to restart the 10-year Level II accreditation cycle under its 13th president, Dr. Jeff Abernathy, who accepted the 2018 Pride of CASE District V Gold Award. Headquartered 255 miles southwest via Interstate 196 in Chicago, this gigantic 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to assess Alma’s baccalaureate offerings. In February 2017, Alma was placed on probation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Education majors are approved by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) through 2019. The BSN Program received Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation in 2017 for 95 percent NCLEX-RN passing. Alma College also meets the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) standards.

Alma College Application Requirements

Starting at Alma College is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 3,026 of the 4,728 Fall 2017 candidates were okayed for competitive 64 percent acceptance. First-year Scots with 24 or fewer university credits must verify secondary school completion. Course prerequisites include four years of English plus three years of Math and Science. Earning the International Baccalaureate diploma at the Higher Level of “5” or better provides 32 credits. GED certificates are qualifying with a minimum subject score of 150. On average, freshmen reach the 3.5 GPA, 1240 SAT, and 24 ACT mark. Overseas students need at least 500 on the SAT Reading or 20 on the ACT English for admission. Bachelor’s transfers with cumulative GPAs above 2.0 get a maximum of 68 non-remedial credits. Associate partnerships exist with Delta College, Muskegon Community College, Jackson College, Lansing Community College, and more.

Alma College generally has rolling undergrad admission year-round that doesn’t close. However, suggested dates are March 1st and December 1st. Some programs have strict cutoffs like the Public Affairs Institute’s April 1st deadline. International students can only apply for Fall or Winter entry until July 15th and October 15th respectively. Submitting the Alma Application or Common Application online is absolutely free. Supplemental items include the I-20 transfer form, financial statement, teacher evaluation, personal essay, and list of achievements. Transcripts are furnished to 614 West Superior Street in Alma, MI 48801. Entrance exam reports are filed using SAT code 1010 or ACT code 1958. Please contact (800) 321-2562 or [email protected] for program specifics.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-2020, Alma College has published full-time undergraduate tuition of $20,569 each semester or $41,138 annually. Spring Term courses incur $1,593 apiece. Bachelor’s students pay mandatory fees totaling $260 per year. Freshmen cover a one-time $350 orientation fee. Living at the Gratiot County campus’ dorms like Newberry Hall adds $11,384 for room and board. Commuters purchase meal plans of $140 to $600 for Hamilton Commons Dining. Alma budgets $800 for textbooks and $2,265 for personal needs, including travel. Annual undergrad attendance equals roughly $52,782 on-site and $41,833 at home.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Hamilton Hall helps 96 percent of full-time Alma Scots share $35.49 million yearly for average assistance packages worth $25,501 each. Institutional funds include the Tartan Award, Dean’s Scholarship, Trustee Honors Scholarship, Achievement Award, Scottish Arts Scholarship, Dance Department Scholarship, Currie Scholarship, David B. Kinney Scholarship, Donald J. Yehle Internship Award, S-STEM Scholarship, Upward Bound Scholarship, and Community College Connection Scholarship. Each Spring Term, the Venture Grant gifts $2,500 for off-campus experiential learning. Bequeathed $2 million, the Posey Global Leadership Fellows Program has a February 23rd deadline. Michigan residents pursue the $2,100 Tuition Grant, Children of Veterans Grant, Tuition Incentive Program, and Educational Opportunity Grant. The Gratiot County Community Foundation presents 35+ awards like the Carson Fraker Memorial Scholarship. FAFSA forms coded 00236 judge financial need for Federal Pell and SEOG Grant donations. The Center for Student Opportunity arranges Federal Work-Study positions paying at least $9.25/hour too.

Continue reading about the Christ-centered liberal arts academics at Alma College website.