Alpena Community College vs. West Shore Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alpena Community College in Alpena, MI with West Shore Community College in Scottville, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alpena Community College is larger than West Shore Community College based on total student enrollment (1,581 students vs. 1,120 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alpena Community College is located in Alpena, MI (Rural Fringe setting); West Shore Community College is in Scottville, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Alpena Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Shore Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alpena Community College 15:1; West Shore Community College 12:1.

Alpena Community College vs. West Shore Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alpena Community College or West Shore Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Shore Community College than Alpena Community College ($3,927 vs. $3,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alpena Community College are 5.8% lower than at West Shore Community College ($8,815 vs. $9,360).
• Alpena Community College is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Shore Community College (about $1,590 more per year; $8,010.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at West Shore Community College than at Alpena Community College (about $810 more per year; $8,820.00 vs. $8,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Shore Community College than at Alpena Community College (84% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alpena Community College students is 15% larger than aid received by West Shore Community College students ($8,108 vs. $7,048).

Alpena Community College vs. West Shore Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alpena Community College or West Shore Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between West Shore Community College and Alpena Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alpena Community College - Open admission; West Shore Community College - Open admission.

Alpena Community College vs. West Shore Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alpena Community College and West Shore Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Alpena Community College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than West Shore Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,300 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alpena Community College graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than West Shore Community College graduates ($9,093 vs. $9,609).
• Among borrowers, Alpena Community College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Shore Community College graduates ($94 vs. $99).
• More West Shore Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alpena Community College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 41%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.