Alma College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Alma College was $47,160 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4%–from $45,346 the previous year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Alma College meets 79% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Alma College is around $38,734 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $43,731 in student loans per borrower.

Alma College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Alma College is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Michigan as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Michigan colleges

Tuition for International Students at Alma College

Alma College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Alma College:

•Alma College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Alma College Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Alma College.

Room and Board Costs at Alma College

Room and board at Alma College is $13,128 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Alma College's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Alma College

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Alma College

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is often pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Alma College campus is in a town in Michigan, near Lansing.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Alma College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Alma College.

Total Cost of Alma College

What will the cost of attending Alma College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$47,160
Room and Board	$13,128
Other expenses	$1,000

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$61,558
Off-Campus	$47,930

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Alma College’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for part-time students

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Alma College Financial Aid

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The majority of Alma College undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 951 of the 1,245 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Alma College meets 79% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $38,734 a year. Around 82% of Alma College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Alma College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $43,731 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$25,572
Alma College-Specific Loans	$5,893
Private Loans	$46,947

Most Common Loans for Alma College Students
Federal Loans	80%
Institutional Loans	8%
Private loans	32%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Alma College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Alma College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Alma College awarded 951 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $29 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $660,000 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Alma College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Alma College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Alma College was $38,734 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Alma College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$22,824
Off-Campus	$9,196

What will attending Alma College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Alma College's net cost calculator on their website.

Alma College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Alma College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Alma College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Alma College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Alma College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Alma College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Alma College's endowment was $128.5 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $37,405 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Alma College

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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