“A nationally recognized liberal arts college with a proud Scottish heritage, transforming students into thoughtful, skilled, and responsible citizens.”
Alma College is a private liberal arts institution founded in 1886 by Michigan Presbyterians in the heart of Michigan's lower peninsula. Known as the Scots — a nod to the Presbyterian Church's Scottish roots — Alma has built a distinctive identity around academic excellence, a vibrant residential community, and a global perspective that draws students from more than a dozen countries. With roughly 1,160 undergraduates, Alma is intentionally small: the 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio means professors know students by name, classes stay intimate, and research and internship opportunities are broadly accessible even in the first year. The college is ranked #6 in Regional Colleges Midwest by US News for 2026, reflecting its sustained commitment to high-quality undergraduate education. Alma's curriculum spans more than 45 undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences, health professions, and social sciences, alongside two graduate programs. The college is particularly recognized for its nursing program — consistently its most popular major — as well as business administration, performing arts, chemistry, and an innovative New Media Studies major that blends computer science, graphic design, communication, and digital humanities. Approximately 17% of Alma's students come from outside the United States, making it among the most internationally diverse small liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. The college's campus spans 125 acres plus a 200-acre ecological research tract, providing rich opportunities for environmental science fieldwork and outdoor learning. Beyond the classroom, Alma's campus buzzes with more than 80 student organizations, 31 varsity NCAA Division III sports teams, and an active Greek life community. The college's Scottish traditions — Highland Games, bagpipe performances, the Kiltie Band, and the Homecoming Bonfire — create a distinctive and beloved campus culture that unites generations of alumni. Career Services and the International Student Services office actively support CPT and OPT pathways for international graduates, making Alma one of the more internationally supportive small colleges in Michigan. The surrounding town of Alma is known for hosting the internationally celebrated Great Lakes Scottish Festival & Highland Games each Memorial Day weekend.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Colleges Midwest
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Priority deadline for merit scholarships and financial aid consideration
Regular Decision
Rolling Deadline
Applications reviewed on rolling basis after RD; apply early for best scholarship consideration
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$49,552
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Programs spanning music, theatre, dance, visual arts, English, history, philosophy, and religious studies. Alma is noted for its exceptional performing arts facilities and annual festival performances.
Research-focused programs in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science. The 200-acre ecological tract supports environmental fieldwork.
Interdisciplinary programs in psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and anthropology.
Career-focused programs including nursing, business administration, new media studies, and exercise science.
Michigan state-approved teacher preparation programs for K-12 certification.
4 years
Alma's most popular program, combining rigorous clinical training with compassionate care principles; graduates are well-prepared for NCLEX licensure and healthcare careers.
4 years
An innovative interdisciplinary major blending computer science, graphic design, communication, and digital humanities — a standout offering among Midwestern liberal arts colleges preparing students for digital economy careers.
4 years
Experiential learning-focused program emphasizing internships, consulting projects, and a strong regional alumni network; consistently one of Alma's top majors by enrollment.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $49,552
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
