Undergraduate Costs and Financial Aid
For the 2025-26 Academic Year
Tuition and Aid
Read more: Alma College is a “A best value liberal arts college”
We utilize five different financial tools — merit and talent scholarships, grants, work study, loans and out-of-pocket contributions — to help develop a financial plan that allows you to attain Alma’s valuable, personalized education.
We encourage you to explore financial aid for more detailed information about the financial tools available to you.
Tuition and Fees for fall and winter 2025-26
| Tuition | $ 51,254 |
| Room | $ 8,706 |
| Meal Plan | $ 6,042 |
| Orientation fee | $ 400 |
| Activity fee | $ 270 |
| Total | $ 66,672 |
Tuition Pro-Ration for fall and winter 2025-26
| Credits | Tuition |
| 13-18 | $ 25,627 |
| 12 | $ 23,656 |
| 11 | $ 21,684 |
| 10 | $ 19,713 |
| 9 | $ 17,742 |
| 8 | $ 12,814 |
| 7 | $ 11,212 |
| 6 | $ 9,610 |
| 5 | $ 8,008 |
| 4 | $ 6,407 |
| 3 | $ 4,805 |
| 2 | $ 3,203 |
| 1 | $ 1,602 |
First year students are required to pay an orientation fee of $400 in addition to the charges above. In addition to direct costs, students should also budget for books, supplies and personal expenses of approximately $1,500-$2,000.
Tuition and fees are set by the board of trustees annually in February.
Our graduate programs carry different tuition and fees than what is listed above. Learn more about graduate programs.
Spring Term Costs
Students are required to complete two Spring Term courses during their four years. If a student is traveling off-campus, additional costs may apply. Typically, no financial assistance is offered for Spring Term classes.
2026: Students who enroll in Spring Term courses in 2026 will have added charges of $2,135 for tuition and, if on-campus, $712 for meals and $326 for a room.
2027: Students who enroll in Spring Term courses in 2027 will have added charges of $2,220 for tuition and, if on-campus, $743 for meals and $337 for a room.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of attendance (COA), represented in the below charts, helps us determine your financial aid offer, while your true costs will depend on the actual credit load, food and housing plan you choose, and other expenses you may choose to have. COA is an average estimate of costs a student would have if enrolled at Alma College for the fall and winter semesters. It includes the costs billed by the college (direct) and estimated costs that are not billed by Alma (indirect).
Direct versus indirect costs
- What is a direct cost? For example, your tuition, activity fee, and food/housing (if on-campus) will be directly billed by the college onto your student account.
- What is an indirect cost? On the other hand, Alma College will not bill you for transportation or miscellaneous personal expenses; instead, these expenses are amounts that are created to allow for further financial aid eligibility to help offset non-Alma College expenses you may experience while enrolled.
Estimated Costs for Students
Living On Campus
Living On Campus
Living On Campus
Direct Costs |
|
| Tuition* | $53,304.00 |
| Living Expenses | $15,338.00 |
| Activity Fee | $270.00 |
| Orientation Week Fee | $400.00 |
| Total Direct Costs | $69,312.00 |
Indirect Costs |
|
| Transportation | $1,100.00 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,172.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,855.00 |
| Loan Fees | $120.00 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,880.00 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $7,127.00 |
| *Flat rate undergraduate tuition for 13-18 credits | |
Living Off Campus
Living Off Campus
Living Off Campus
Direct Costs |
|
| Tuition* | $53,304.00 |
| Activity Fee | $270.00 |
| Orientation Week Fee | $400.00 |
| Total Direct Costs | $53,974.00 |
Indirect Costs |
|
| Transportation | $1,100.00 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,172.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,855.00 |
| Loan Fees | $120.00 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,880.00 |
| Living Expenses | $17,685.00 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $24,812.00 |
| *Flat rate undergraduate tuition for 13-18 credits | |
Off Campus - Living with Supporter
Off Campus - Living with Supporter
Off Campus - Living with Supporter
The COA below assumes that you are living with a family member or supporter and you are not paying rent.
Direct Costs |
|
| Tuition* | $53,304.00 |
| Activity Fee | $270.00 |
| Orientation Week Fee | $400.00 |
| Total Direct Costs | $53,974.00 |
Indirect Costs |
|
| Transportation | $1,100.00 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,172.00 |
| Loan Fees | $120.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,855.00 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,880.00 |
| Living Expenses | $8,843.00 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $15,970.00 |
| *Flat rate undergraduate tuition for 13-18 credits | |
Spring Term
Spring Term
Spring Term
| Tuition Cost | $2,220 |
| Food and Housing | $1,080 |
| Course Fee | Varies |
| Total | $3,280.00 |