Students at Alma College benefit from above-average long-term earnings for a small liberal arts institution, with graduates earning more than typical liberal arts college alumni ten years out.
The college combines solid financial outcomes with an intimate learning environment that emphasizes personal growth and faculty mentorship over immediate career preparation.
Alma College is a small private liberal arts institution in Michigan that emphasizes personal attention and close faculty relationships. With just over 1,400 students, it offers the intimate campus experience that many families seek in a private college setting. The college serves a relatively selective student body, with about 21% of students receiving Pell Grants and 24% being first-generation college students.
Graduates earn a median of $54,742 ten years after enrollment, placing Alma in the 63rd percentile nationally for long-term earnings. While these outcomes are above average, they reflect the liberal arts focus rather than pre-professional training. The college's strength lies in preparing students for graduate school and careers that value critical thinking and communication skills over immediate high earnings.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Alma provides solid outcomes for the students it serves, though access remains limited compared to public universities. The college's 64% six-year graduation rate and strong loan repayment patterns suggest that most students who enroll complete their degrees and manage their debt successfully, even if earnings growth takes time to materialize.
Alma College's academic program reflects classic liberal arts priorities, with Biology, Psychology, and Business Administration forming the core of the curriculum. Biology graduates the most students (26 annually) but with modest early-career earnings around $25,596, typical for students who often pursue graduate school in health sciences or research fields. Psychology (23 graduates) shows similar patterns with earnings of $28,236, reflecting the field's emphasis on graduate preparation.
Business Administration, while smaller with 20 graduates, generates the highest aggregate return at $38,289 in median earnings. This program represents Alma's most direct path to immediate career entry, though even these outcomes reflect the college's liberal arts approach rather than intensive pre-professional training. The relatively small program sizes create opportunities for close faculty mentorship and personalized attention that many students value over larger, more anonymous business programs at research universities.
Alma College graduates see steady but modest long-term earnings growth. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $54,742, which places the college above average nationally but reflects the liberal arts mission rather than immediate career preparation. Earnings tend to build gradually over time as graduates move into management roles, pursue advanced degrees, or develop specialized expertise in their chosen fields.
The college's program mix centers on foundational liberal arts disciplines. Business Administration graduates about 20 students annually with median earnings around $38,289, while Biology (26 graduates) and Psychology (23 graduates) represent the largest programs with more modest early-career earnings of $25,596 and $28,236 respectively. These figures reflect typical patterns for liberal arts colleges, where graduates often pursue graduate school or enter fields where earnings grow substantially with experience rather than starting high immediately after college.
Affordability at Alma College varies significantly by family income, with net prices that reflect its private liberal arts positioning. Low-income families pay about $18,726 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $22,322, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,994. These prices are typical for small private colleges but represent a substantial investment compared to public alternatives.
The college provides meaningful financial aid that brings costs down from the full sticker price, particularly for families with demonstrated need. Most students who borrow graduate with manageable debt levels relative to the private college sector, though the financial commitment remains significant. The college's strong loan repayment patterns suggest that graduates, while not earning at the highest levels immediately, are generally able to service their educational debt over time.
Alma College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
