Alma College
Alma College is a private nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1886 in Alma, Michigan, offering 40+ accredited undergraduate programs and two graduate programs (MFA in Creative Writing and MA in Special Education) to traditional, transfer, international, military, and graduate student segments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1886
- HeadquartersAlma, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Alma College does
Alma College is a private nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1886 and located in Alma, Michigan. It operates a 614 W. Superior St. main campus with on-campus undergraduate, graduate, and administrative functions, and runs two international residency locations in Venice, Italy (Veneto region) and Oxford, United Kingdom (St. Hugh's College) for the MFA program. The college serves primarily first-year undergraduate students, transfer students, international students, graduate students, military and veteran students, and prospective students with specific athletic or arts interests.
The institution's core product is a portfolio of 40+ accredited academic programs spanning liberal arts disciplines, culminating in undergraduate degrees and two graduate programs: a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing (concentrations in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry) priced at $25,170 annually, and a fully online MA in Special Education priced at $29,010 for the 30-credit base track. Underlying technology includes Canvas LMS for online course delivery, Microsoft Teams for collaboration, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for specialized software access, and a Learning Commons Makerspace equipped with 3D printers, podcasting equipment, and Virtual Reality facilities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds discipline-specific accreditations.
Alma College generates revenue primarily through undergraduate and graduate tuition (subscription/recurring), residency and housing fees for MFA residencies, donations and fundraising (including the Annual Fund and Scot Athletics Fund), and ancillary fees such as parking permits. Its go-to-market is sales-led: regional admissions counselors organized by geography conduct personalized outreach, supplemented by campus visits (with travel reimbursements over 200 miles), a Common Application pathway, and an MFA Decision Journal content marketing tool. Strategic partnerships extend distribution: Talent Together for special education teacher training, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs via the Yellow Ribbon Program, Michigan National Guard, and Running Wild Press for MFA publishing opportunities. Marketing is multi-channel across website, virtual tours, social media, email, and the Scot Speaker Series.
Alma College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alma College
- Legal name
- Alma College
- Website
- https://alma.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1886
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Alma College is a private nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1886 in Alma, Michigan, offering 40+ accredited undergraduate programs and two graduate programs (MFA in Creative Writing and MA in Special Education) to traditional, transfer, international, military, and graduate student segments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Alma College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alma
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Alma College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Undergraduate Tuition: Revenue from undergraduate degree programs. Tuition varies by program and credit load.
- Graduate Tuition: Revenue from graduate programs including MFA in Creative Writing ($25,170 annually) and MA in Special Education ($29,010 total program)
- Donations and Fundraising: Annual Fund contributions, designated gifts to departments, scholarships, and capital campaigns supporting academic programs and student life.
- Athletics Program Revenue: Revenue from Scot Athletics Fund supporting team uniforms, travel, and tournament participation.
- Residency and Housing Fees: Fees for on-campus residency during MFA residencies, including single room fees and international residency costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | MFA in Creative Writing - Tuition |
| Subscription | Term | MFA in Creative Writing - Residency Cost |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MFA Enrollment Deposit |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | MA in Special Education - Per Credit |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Undergraduate Commitment Deposit |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | MA Special Education - LD Endorsement Only |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | MA Special Education - All Three Endorsements |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | MA Special Education - EI/CI Only (for teachers with LD) |
| Subscription | Annual | Student Parking Permits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
Alma College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alma College is a private liberal arts college that delivers undergraduate four-year residential degree programs across disciplines such as Nursing, Business, Education, and the liberal arts, alongside graduate programs including a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing and a fully online MA in Special Education. It sells tuition-based academic instruction, on-campus housing, and student services to individual learners, including traditional undergraduates, transfer students, international students, working professionals, and military veterans.
Product overview
Alma College operates as a private liberal arts college offering a portfolio of educational programs and campus services. The institution provides undergraduate liberal arts degree programs alongside graduate programs delivered in online and low-residency formats. Key graduate offerings include the MFA in Creative Writing (featuring international residencies) and the MA in Special Education (fully online). Technology-enabled services include the Canvas Learning Management System for online course delivery, Digital Media Commons computer labs, and Learning Commons Makerspace with 3D printing and VR capabilities. The college serves students through a combination of on-campus experiences and flexible digital learning environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs
- MFA in Creative Writing
- MA in Special Education Fully online Master of Arts program preparing Michigan teachers for special education licensure with endorsements in Learning Disabilities (LD), Emotional Impairment (EI), and Cognitive Impairment (CI). Offers flexible per-credit tuition ($837/credit plus $130 course fee per credit, $967/credit inclusive).
Quantifiable outcome
- 94% of 2022 graduates working, enrolled in graduate school, or participating in service within 6 months
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Alma College
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Alma College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Alma College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- St. Hugh's College, University of OxfordcoreUniversity of Oxford hosts Alma College MFA students and alumni at St. Hugh's College for optional international residencies. Students walk storied streets traveled by notable authors and participate in lectures from university guest speakers, tours of the iconic institution, and town explorations.
- Venice, Italy (Veneto Region)coreWinter residencies held in the Veneto region of Italy including historic Venice and surrounding countryside. Students explore art, food, historical villas, and visit with local writers and artists. Excursions include St. Mark's Square, Lagoon of Venice, Burano, Torcello, and trips to Padova, Asolo, and Trieste.
- Ralph A. MacMullan Conference CenterminorWinter residencies held at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on the shore of Higgins Lake in Michigan's northern woods.
- Running Wild PresscorePublishing partnership offering Alma MFA students and alumni the opportunity to compete for a publishing contract. Books published by Running Wild have been named Best of the Year by Kirkus Reviews. Winner receives $200 upfront prize plus 40% net revenue from paperback, ebook, and audiobook sales.
- Talent Together (Michigan)coreMichigan statewide initiative supporting teacher training in special education. Alma College is an approved program provider, and Talent Together helps potential students apply for funding support toward their MA in Special Education degree.
- Ballyhoo BooksminorLocal Michigan retailer serves as additional location for MFA residency readings and the place to purchase books for reading lists and faculty/visiting writers' work.
- U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreFormal partnership to process VA education benefits (GI Bill Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606). Alma College is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant providing additional financial support to qualifying veterans.
- STT SecurityminorNationwide security organization providing trained Campus Safety and Security personnel 24/7, 365 days a year. Officers work closely with local and state law enforcement agencies.
- Alma Public Safety Department (APSD)minorLocal law enforcement partnership where APSD appoints a full-time officer liaison to the college. The liaison meets regularly with STT Security and the campus safety and security committee.
- Michigan National GuardminorMichigan National Guard members may be eligible for State of Michigan's Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP) in addition to federal education benefits.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Alma College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Knox College: Small private liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois with comparable enrollment scale and undergraduate focus. Comparable on Midwest recruiting and small-college experience.
- Hope College: Private residential liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, with similar undergraduate degree mix, NCAA athletics, and Michigan-recruiting footprint. Closely comparable on size, mission, and student experience.
- Lawrence University: Private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin with similar size and residential model. Comparable on small-college liberal arts positioning and Midwest recruiting.
- Beloit College: Small private liberal arts college in the upper Midwest (Wisconsin) with similar size, residential model, and broad undergraduate curriculum. Comparable peer for cross-regional benchmarking.
- Kalamazoo College: Private liberal arts college also located in a small Michigan city with a similar enrollment profile and undergraduate focus. Most directly comparable peer due to overlapping Michigan recruiting geography, residential liberal arts model, and comparable size.
- Hillsdale College: Private liberal arts college in Michigan known for strong national brand and undergraduate-only model. Comparable on size tier and liberal arts focus, with stronger national draw.
- Calvin University: Private Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Comparable on residential liberal arts model and Michigan recruiting footprint, though affiliated with a religious tradition.
- Adrian College: Small private liberal arts college in Michigan with similar undergraduate focus and NCAA Division II/III athletics. Directly comparable on geography, scale, and program mix.
- Albion College: Small private liberal arts college in Michigan with similar enrollment scale, residential model, and broad undergraduate curriculum. Direct competitor for the same Michigan high school applicant pool.
- Olivet College: Private liberal arts college in small-town Michigan with comparable size, NCAA athletics, and undergraduate offerings. Competes head-to-head for the same regional recruitment market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Customer concentration
Alma College social profiles
Digital presenceAlma College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alma College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Alma College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alma College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alma College
What does Alma College do?
Alma College is a private liberal arts college that delivers undergraduate four-year residential degree programs across disciplines such as Nursing, Business, Education, and the liberal arts, alongside graduate programs including a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing and a fully online MA in Special Education. It sells tuition-based academic instruction, on-campus housing, and student services to individual learners, including traditional undergraduates, transfer students, international students, working professionals, and military veterans.
Is Alma College a public or private company?
Alma College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Alma College founded?
Alma College was founded in 1886. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Alma College based?
Alma College is headquartered in Alma, United States, in the North America region.
How does Alma College make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Undergraduate Tuition is the primary driver. The others are graduate Tuition, donations and Fundraising, athletics Program Revenue and residency and Housing Fees.
Who are Alma College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Knox College, Hope College, Lawrence University, Beloit College, Kalamazoo College, Hillsdale College, Calvin University, Adrian College, Albion College and Olivet College.
Does Alma College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alma College.