Alma College recieves national honors

KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER

JORDAN FOX
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

9/8/2025

Alma College has been nationally ranked by several distinguished institutes for 2025. The Princeton Review and Phi Theta Kappa both named Alma in their reviews of reputable colleges in the United States.  

Each year, The Princeton Review evaluates colleges and universities across the country based on specific criteria, including student demographics, admissions and academic statistics, student activities and more.  

This year, Alma is one out of just 50 schools to be named to the Review’s “Colleges That Create Futures” list. Additionally, it is one of only two schools in Michigan to be awarded this honor.  

According to the Review, “[the] 50 schools on our list of Colleges That Create Futures empower students to discover practical applications for their talents and interests through experiences that complement their classes and coursework.” 

The college is also on the “Best Colleges: Best in the Midwest” list. Alma has received this title since the list’s creation 21 years ago in 2004.  

“For our ‘2026 Best Colleges: Region by Region’ web feature, we salute 631 colleges in seven zones—Northeast, South, Southwest, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, West and International (outside of the United States)—that we consider academically outstanding and well worth consideration in your college search,” said the Review. 

The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society also has a list of its own, known as the Transfer Honor Roll. This list recognizes the most transfer-friendly four-year institutions in the country. 

In determining the list, PTK considers 40 key metric areas. The top five are success rates of transfer students, campus friendliness and sense of belonging, availability of need- and merit-based financial aid, acceptance of transfer credits toward a four-year degree program and recruitment experience and campus life for transfers. 

Alma was named to this list for the fourth year in a row. This year, 251 colleges and universities are on the list. Only eight of the schools are located in Michigan and Alma is just one of two from this number that is private.  

Abby Jones (‘28) transferred to Alma College this year after attending Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing.  

“I decided to transfer to Alma because I needed more academically and athletically. When my head coach at Great Lakes Christian College accepted the position as the new women’s soccer head coach here at Alma, I saw it as a perfect opportunity to grow and continue my journey,” said Jones.  

For many transfers, the process can be intimidating. However, this has not been the case for Jones. 

“The transfer process was surprisingly smooth; my main concern was deciding whether coming to Alma would be the right choice for me,” Jones.  

Choosing a new institution involves more than just price and credit acceptance; students are also selecting the place they will call home for the next several years.  

Making friends and joining campus activities can be more difficult as a transfer student because their peers have already had time to establish their identities on campus. But, for Jones, this has not been the case. 

“The transition to a new campus has been easy for me. Coming to Alma has proven to be a great decision. I’ve already had a chance to meet so many incredible people and feel so welcomed into the community,” Jones.  

To read more about Alma’s ranking by The Princeton Review, visit princetonreview.com. For more information about Phi Theta Kappa’s honor roll, visit ptk.org.